feeding the birds

my cousin carol out on the ranch
had a bounty of wildlife on her land
elk, deer, cougars, coyotes, and wolves
all spotted and wondered over
as long as the livestock were safe

and one winter some pheasants arrived
with proud green heads and luxurious feathers
she fed them each morning
the came regularly
to feed on the bounty she provided
and she would watch
as their jerky heads pecked
and prodded the corn
at the end of her dirt road

one morning she looked out
and amongst the pheasant throng
she thought she noticed
two large brown dogs
curious to see if they were wild or tame
she cautiously walked out her front door
on getting closer she stood amazed

what she thought were dogs
were two large golden eagles
who came to prey
on the pheasants she attracted

i guess what she realised was harsh
but true
what she was feeding
was easier prey
to get eaten itself
and how she dealt with it
i never heard

in nature the plan is balanced
but cruel
though we try to amend it
it makes it's own rules
sometimes we need to look and not touch
not change what we see
just watch

two steps back

sailing into the wind
you take the wheel
and head for the horizon
everything's full steam ahead
no obstacles between
me and intended shores

and then the clouds start forming
a hurricane warning
the birds all gone
from the sky
i tie things down
make sure the sails stay intact
one step forward
and two steps back

and when the gods are finished making waves
assess the damage
clean up what remains
wash up brush up
get yourself back up
and push ahead

even though you feel prepared
you never can be sure
whether what you 've learned
will be enough
to face what's coming up
the impending sky could lead you
one step forward
and two steps back

and yet i have kind words
and hands to guide me
there is a love much greater
than myself
i know that on this ventured path
however i may pass or fail
these arms will hold me up

so hoist the mainsail
catch the wind
the smell of the sea is strong
it beckons me away
to find new ports of home
whatever luck befalls me
i leave in the hands of God
he teaches me
by leading me
one step forward
and two steps back
on step forward
and two steps back