No bell to tell me when to rise,
Hunger alone to bid me eat,
No textbook but the storied skies,
No traffic but the silent feet
Of squirrels and chipmunks as they pass,
Scurrying across the grass.

Dusks to watch a rising star,
Dawns to hear the munching flock,
Freedom from prodding calendar,
Respite from propulsive clock,
And time to say a word of praise
For a few uncharted days.