Awake at 4:30 am courtesy of a beautiful (and loud) cardinal song. As he perched high in the cedar tree outside my open window, he clearly announced the arrival of the “pre-dawn” time of day. Although still dark outside, I could see the faintest line of light on the horizon. Cardinal spoke once and, that was that. I, of course, couldn’t fall back asleep because I was wondering, “why do birds announce the new day?”
Most of the explanations I can find say it’s male birds (per the cardinal shown above) and that they’re singing to announce how strong and fit they are (even before feeding) or to attract a mate (most of whom are still wisely sleeping), or defend their territory. Also, that birds who roost highest are the earliest to pipe up. But, what about singing because they simply want to? Or because the dawn sky is spectacular? That’s what this wake-up call sounded like to me. (For the roosters I grew up with, folklore had it that they were indeed announcing it was time to wake up and start feeding. I can identify with that.)
Many people are most productive 4:30 am - 6:30 am. I know several writers who are up and writing during that time. Nikki Finney, for one. During a poetry class, I heard her stress that this was the most creative, magical time of day. Just before dawn to sunrise. I admit that when I am awake at 4:30 am, ideas and lines for poems and stories do seem to stream in from “somewhere.” If I could only actually get up and move to my desk, who knows what characters, landscapes, and scenes might appear. Ok, ok, next 4:30 am song, I’ll at least try.
Seek wonder. Embrace joy!