A mirage - I thought. A dream. I couldn't imagine anything other.

From a distance - the sweet bit of contrasting color appeared out of seemingly nowhere. An oasis of life in this sea of winter's monochrome. What was fresh and clean and cold and white has transformed itself into one thousand shades of endless grey.

Are they beautiful - these birds of common feathers? Is this scene - as I've uncovered it - a one that is art-worthy? Do I stop...do I look...do I capture what I see?

I found myself returning once and again to 'trust' - to this word that has found me. My mind questions the questions....doubts the doubts and fears most. My body knows.

I stopped. I rooted and grounded. I took one long slow deep breath - allowing my heart to open and my eyes to focus on just this.

Beauty - it is said - is in the eyes of the beholder.

And here I am - beholden to that.