The soft red, half-hidden under her crisp black wings glinted in the first rays of the Sun.

She came and perched in her usual corner peering at me from under her unseen brow.

I walked my usual walk with slow steps to match the rhythmic beat of the incantation,

The loud chant in my ears creating the silence around me as I moved.

Head bent to shut the world out, toes tiptoeing in a bid to prolong the hour of bliss,

I walked my usual walk as she chirped softly, uttering words only I could understand.

We moved at our own pace yet in unison for the hour that belonged to none other.

We thought and felt and emoted together as if we were but one,

Stopping only to throw a glance at the gentle stream moving along its usual path.

The chimes tinkled delicately, the morning breeze the wind beneath their wings.

The little one spread her wings to visit a few more perches and spread more cheer,

with the red in her bill glinting softly in my eyes.

I marvelled at how new it all felt, even if our morning dialogues were decades old.

Things may have fallen apart and centre may not have held as I needed it to

But I had these mornings and my quiet dialogues to fuel me as I moved along with a smile.