Praise for the Morning!

  Daybreak is my favorite time of the day.  After a good night's rest, the world awakes to new possibilities.  If you ever observe the critters around you, it is evident that they, too, appreciate the new day.  All are praising the morning in their own way.  Even nocturnal critters, who are yawning and creeping into their slumber, welcome the rising sun. Others literally raise their song on high and welcome whatever life throws at them.  

  Yesterday as we were watching the lovely sunrise, a cormorant sat high on the post of my brother's pier.  With its wings outstretched and its beak pointed heavenward, the bird looked as if it, indeed, was singing praises for the rising sun.  Yes, I know this is a common position for these diving birds and that it helps them to dry their water laden feathers but, still, I imagine that the bird was happy for the new day....as we all should be.  

  Years ago, Eleanor Farjeon penned the lyrics to a hymn called "Morning Has Broken".  These lyrics run through my mind almost every morning as I am watching the sun rise above the pines and listening to life around me.  Sometimes, I actually start humming the tune.  It seems fitting.

"Morning has broken like the first morning.

Blackbird has spoken like the first bird.

Praise for the singing,

Praise for the morning,

Praise for them springing fresh from the word."