SPIRIT
ANIMAL
last night I had a vivid dream
I was visited by a falcon
it was a juvenile
I could tell from its plumage
it would alight both on my hands
and on my shoulders
our friendship felt tangible
I woke up
and headed out to meet my friend Chelsey
she was banding horned larks and snow buntings
in the january cold
after everyone had left
this juvenile peregrine falcon swooped down
it flew past at eye level
I had never witnessed this sort of behaviour
well, not in real life
a moment later
it settled on a utility pole right across the road from me
our sudden proximity creating this crazy surreal bridge
between dream
and
reality
months later
the world experienced its hottest summer
ever on record
I was spending a long weekend with my goddaughter
the air turned burnt orange
as the forest fires raged on
but she's just a kid, I remember thinking
I hope her dreams become reality too
some day
I hope falcons will still fly by
and keep a watchful eye
when she grows up
I read that to dream of a falcon in flight symbolizes a yearning for freedom
a desire to soar above life's challenges
and a longing to break free from the shackles of
routine
and
conformity
it represents the untamed spirit within
urging the dreamer to embrace their individuality
and pursue their passions without fear
if the sky grows tired
of being everywhere at once
adapting to the mood
swings of the weather
if clouds drift off
trying to hold themselves together
make deals with gravity
to loiter a little longer
I wonder if rain is scared
of falling
if it has trouble
letting go
if snowflakes get sick
of being perfect all the time
each one
trying to be one-of-a-kind
I wonder if stars wish
upon themselves before they die
if they need to teach their young
how to shine