by Shanna Mumm
On: Cranes song of parting. 2022. oil, canvas. Artist: Vasil Woodland
Sometimes, we look up and
see those ancient ones flying, the
sound of eternity rippling through the clear air
soaring so high, reminding, calling,
saying – we are ancient too.
In our bones and our sinews, in
the tones that we sing to, ephemerally
older than the first thought, a moment frozen
in time, indivisible and complete, like
how we meet – heart to heart.
Ancient art of creation, cranes
have rattled the vast skies since the
dawn of the paleolithic, mythic and graceful
eerily still on land, they stand. From
the Heavens they call – immortal.
Their parting flight mirrored by the water’s
brilliant glass below, wise wild fox, paws print the
fresh snow, turns her magic nose to the sky, sees bodies
aligned, long legs outstretched behind as they fly,
pausing, she listens – geomagnetic vision.
Jeweled amber iris shines, her formidable tail
creates a line of alertness, but there is no four-footed
pounce that can reach the sky-transit of the winged-ones,
a reflection of purity and cycles, leaving only to
return, farewell – soft white feather falls.
Shanna Mumm (she/her) is a mother, writer, teacher, and lover of life. She believes in simplicity, joy, freedom, and love. She nurtures three beautiful children, has a doctoral degree, a beloved one, and many plants. She finds solace amidst the quiet, powerful beauty of nature. She teaches French at MacEwan University. Some of her work can be found in her children’s laughter, the light in her lover’s eyes, and issues number 3 and 11 of The Polyglot Magazine.
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