Tiffany Painter

There is a week or so every fall when the geese stop over at the lake where I walk. It seems to be their Motel 6 as they make their air trip to the south. The cacophony of bird calls disrupts my normally quiet time of waking up. Just when I am starting to get used to the sound, a morning of complete silence will be just as jarring. The birds will continue their migration to warmer parts, and I won’t see them in large groups again until spring when they make their return trip. This past week I witnessed this traveling of hundreds of geese, sometimes it felt like thousands, as they sought a warm winter home. It made me wonder about migrations in general. By definition, migration is movement from one part to another. Animals such as birds, butterflies, spiders, and, in a way, snakes all make grand moves yearly. Throughout history we have seen large groups of people migrate to new areas. But I think we can look at migration in a different way as well. Sometimes it feels like I am staying in one place, but my environment completely changes. It was just a few months ago that my morning walks were done in shorts and t-shirts under the blazing summer sun. Now the same walk is undertaken with heavy coats and warm gloves and hats with a sun still trying to climb up in the sky. When my world changes I am forced to change how I can best fit in it, how I think about it. My mind has to migrate and seek joy in other ways. This month I get to enjoy all the holiday lights around, next month it might be playing in the snow with my dog, who loves it, and when the cold and darkness are really pushing down on me, I will migrate to the warmer climate of relatives for a quick reprieve. But it is clear to me, the simple act of living is just one migration mindset after another.

11/26

whether saying hi
or goodbye, sun knows how to
leave us wanting more

11/28

sound of geese flying
coming to disturb to peace
unwanted houseguests

11/29

only asked a few
but word spread from flock to flock
need to get more food

11/30

bloom frozen in place
petrified by winter’s wind
token of summer

12/1

waited patiently
for the perfect lap to stretch
cozy contentment

12/2

sitting on this bench
watching my thoughts travel far
migration mindset