A red robin in Richmond

The gift of simplicity
            to live an ordinary life
and to admire
            all the simple things
around us

A red robin alights
            on a branch
in a garden
            in Richmond
sent as a reminder
            to draw breath wisely
to be thankful
            for small mercies

Humility is not
            self-abasement
it is keeping close
            to the essential values
of our true nature
            what springs
from the earth

Stripped of all things
            if love remains
we want for nothing
            from love
we draw our strength
            : put simply
love is what it means
            to be human

John Lyons