I don't believe in destiny or plans
Or the idea that things happen for a reason.
I don't believe in reason.
I don't believe in God.

I believe only in getting up.
I believe in seeing what will happen.

This morning I did just that
And went for a walk,
And a flock of Canada geese
Took flight not far from me
Though I was in the woods

And I heard the flap of their wings,
Felt the rush of their flight,
Looked up,
And thought of my grandmother,
Who always thought of her father
When she heard the Canada geese take flight.

In the flap of those wings,
The displaced air gave way to my ancestors.
We were there, together,
As we always have been.

It was not a gift.
It was an accident of circumstance,
And it meant everything.