I step out the door and onto my porch

Friday morning, 6 am

Better than any live news show

Out here, an overlooked gem

Spring is early

The sky above the trees is still dark but I see cobalt blue

The sky gets lighter, the clouds are swirly

The heavens, better than any commercial production

The volume turns up

Nature begins its conduction

The birds are chirping

The true reporters

Out before anyone else is stirring

Doo-da-do-da-doo, doo-da-do-da-do

Sally Sparrow chimes her tune

She perches on a branch

Drrrrr—drrrrr-drrrrr—drrrrr

Ca-caw-ca-caw-ca-caw

Kyle Crow reports back

From the telephone pole

I start my run near the water

Time for speed

The weather forecast is announced by the reeds

They dance as the river moves

The mallards and Canadian geese also sing their tunes

I came here to do half-mile repeats – a tough workout

The sun comes out

Rising slowly, a yellow ball

Lights and action

No need to stall

I muster through 5 of those

Sub-5k pace

Training hard for my next race

The stretch of my neighborhood sidewalk is its own track

I’m the athlete in the sports segment of the show

My breathing lets the onlookers know

The red carpet is a field of green grass

Flowering Jane Magnolia is there in her fuchsia dress

Camellia White competes

As does Mr. Red Robin in the bare crepe myrtle tree

He’s the most stunning of all the celebrities

The sky turns yellowy-red

My heart connects with my legs

I fix my posture

I stand up straight and look around

I delight in my health

Take in the beautiful sights and sounds

No economic crisis, no famine, no war

This is wealth

This is my favorite channel

And it’s just right outside my door

I love to step out, watch, and listen

To look up

To tune in