Whisper Hello

I close my eyes
Listening intently to the
breeze gently weaving
through the trees

My mind pictures
branches swaying
Each responding in
their own way

Sharing certain
traits while
retaining their
individuality

I open my eyes
The breeze pulls me in
I carefully watch how
each tree responds

Then realize my
foot is gently
rocking my chair
back and forth

A response that began
even before seeing
the complete picture

A pine cone falls
landing on pine needles,
the thud barely audible

And my foot continues
rocking back and forth
in rhythm with the trees

Red-shouldered hawk
flies in the distance
Cardinal chirps, hidden
among the leaves

Only then am I still
Searching for flashes
of red, hoping for an
appearance, knowing

I will remember you
and whisper a quiet
hello before once
again closing my eyes

Letting my foot
gently rise and fall
rocking my chair
back and forth