The Joy of the Eagle

The deeply abiding joy of the eagle--
cruising high up near the mountain peak,
eyeing the panoramic whole;
and yet, alert,

swooping down for a kill when necessary,
being careful of what she ingests;
moving joyously towards the oncoming storm,
having already sighted it from afar,
and leveraging on the wings of the wind,
finding further force and strength, and rest
right in the middle of the whirling action;
alone at that altitude, yet not lonely;
possessing great discrimination,
with right and wrong-
and where she places her trust;
investing in the training,
to raise her family-
and sustain her eagle-dharma;
investing in the practice,
that is required to find and be herself;
such that,
when all seems lost,
retreating,
plucking out all her feathers,
laying herself bare,
until, growing anew, afresh,
bringing herself to life again,
she is soaring, gliding, spreading her wings, taking off--
I want that joy.