Yesterday my mother broke her ankle and there was an election. This morning, I let my poodle out the back door as the sun peeks over the horizon. On the right side of the yard is a red bush where a hummingbird lands to get her nectar breakfast. She lingers longer than usual—I ask if she has a message and she tells me not to worry. Mom is ok and the universe will be ok. Bad things sometimes happen to countries, but there’s always light somewhere. She tells me not to worry about my mother’s broken ankle and that she’s being cared for. She tells me she loves me. My heart flutters. I smile and wait for more messages, but my dog is ready to come back inside.

a bird lands on Buddha’s head
and I see peace
the water keeps running

Diana Raab,

MFA, PhD, is a poet, memoirist, workshop leader, thought-leader, and award-winning author of fourteen books. Her work has been widely published and anthologized. Her poems have been nominated for the Pushcart Prize and Best of the Net. She frequently speaks and writes on writing for healing and transformation. Her 14th and newest book is a memoir with reflection and writing prompts, Hummingbird: Messages from My Ancestors (Modern History Press, 2024). Raab writes for The Good Men Project, Psychology Today, Sixty and Me, and Thrive Global, and is a guest writer for many others.

Author’s website: https://dianaraab.com