Still Life with Pallet Tree and Mourning Dove

“Winter perches like a bird; wings tucked in so the soul is heard.”

Angie Weiland-Crosby

Lo and behold, right outside my window! A mourning dove, his feathers puffed against the cold, has settled onto a blanketed perch to create this sweet tableau. It seems he’s in no hurry to leave either.

What must he think of the oddly angled man-made pine tree with its clumsy star?

The woods provide a textured backdrop to the scene. So many soothing shades of brown and gray. Trees that once provided shelter for the dove now stand barren and dormant. A hush has fallen with the snow. How much lies sleeping beneath the semi-frozen ground?

The fluffy dove has adapted well to this first December snow; he stays warm by trapping warmed air between his feathers. It is the way of birds to acclimate to the changing seasons, to follow nature’s lead and to winter wisely. But why is he here?

Throughout many cultures, doves are thought to be messengers of peace, love, and faith. It’s said that when one comes calling near your home, he is signaling a period of rest and reflection.

Yes, perfect timing.

All is calm on this morning before tomorrow’s Winter Solstice. The sun prepares to begin a new cycle and those who dwell in the northern hemisphere prepare for the longest night of the year.

“Winter is upon us,” silently coos the mourning dove. “Peace, be still.”