Dispersion Home

 Dispersion Home

John Clare Stokes

Dropping into the lake that Spring morning

The warmth of the wood box high above me

I joined my brothers and sisters joyfully

And knew immediately an inner yearning.

I knew without warning of Gators and Snakes

To be avoided 

I knew without seeing a longing for a distant home

That I must forage continually to grow strong

In order to join the grand, gathering dispersion.

I recall vividly the first chill of Autumn

How from this lake as if on cue

We lifted and knew the way as we in

V formations were joined with

Wings of purpose soaring toward the

Home we always knew from fledglings.

And so now I lay in the old nest box

From which I came

Beneath me the ones who will heed 

 their inner calling

As upon their grand migration I shall see

But not join

But this I shall know as from the beginning

Dispersion Home was always the deepest

Instinct within me.