Salutation to the Dawn

My two year-old labradoodle has Addison's disease. One of the symptoms is excessive drinking and urination and pooping. Trips beneath the stars at 01.00 are not uncommon now and this morning, he woke me at dawn-break for the second time running and bleary-eyed, we stumbled together down the stairs. In the past, our routine has involved opening the doors to the garden whilst one of us rushes out into the day, the other navigating towards that miracle gadget of the morning - the kettle. Now though, in order to monitor Fionn's output, I step out into the garden with him.   In the winter, this might have to be a different story, but how blessed we are today in that Mother Nature see's fit to send us her gentle weather.  Bare-footed, I stood on the grass and sniffed the kindly chill in the air, with its promise of the warmth that would arrive in just a few short hours. Listening to the  birds announcing their own day had begun, It brought to my recollection, Salutation to the Dawn, an ancient Sanskrit poem attributed to Kalidasa.  Though I have recited it many times, this morning, my tired brain failed to remember the flow of the words. However, when something is said often enough, it does settle into our unconsciousness and so, as I stood with my feet on the earth, connecting to the day, the flow of it's message bubbled up through me saying, "It's a good day today." 

​Salutation to the Dawn
Attributed to Kalidasa

Look to this day! 
For it is life, the very life of life. 
In its brief course 
Lie all the verities and realities of your existence: 
The bliss of growth; 
The glory of action; 
The splendour of achievement; 
For yesterday is but a dream, 
And tomorrow is only a vision; 
But today, well lived, makes every yesterday 
a dream of happiness, 
And every tomorrow a vision of hope.