When The Whirlwind Comes

When The Whirlwind Comes

Even the stork in the sky knows her seasons;

And the turtledove and the swift and the thrush observe the time of their migration;

But my people do not know the ordinance of the Lord.

Jeremiah 8:7

A flock of robins visited today
never so early or this many
puffed out red/orange chests
protecting from bitter cold
which brought deep lake effect snow

They hide you know, invisible
deep in the forest if winter is easy
thousands huddled in the conifers
our mulberry trees bear delicious black fruit
hanging on throughout the winter

After a couple of hours they were gone
those trees having served a noble purpose
then on to another place to forage
moving to escape a sudden drop in temperature
back to the darkness of the woods

Some years ago, outside another home
tall on the branch of a nearby fir
was a rather large and stately owl
for an hour I watched and waited
and wondered not just who but why

The word said they inhabit desert places
perhaps I was either too proud to understand
or unwilling to listen and learn
soon after began a journey we did not map
though God was faithful even in the wilderness

So now I ponder our little puffed out friends
and wonder what may lie in the days ahead
will the battle be fierce and short
ground gained for a divine purpose
or will the blind jump witless into the churning cloud

light pillars, dark clouds, sun wind and storm
many strong images fighting for time
Red speaks of an ancient promise
white the covering of repentance
blue an open heaven

I fear for those who wear crosses
yet dance to the ever changing songs
and swim in the muddy rivers of complacency
nothing left to stand on
when the whirlwind comes