A simple peace

There was no snow yet and the chalky sky held a rubbed sun. The black squirrels bulked up for winter, were taking turns balancing on the feeder. Below, the juncos were flittering through dead leaves hoping
for scattered seeds. It was a free day: the hawk was soaring elsewhere, the
dog was asleep indoors, and the pesky kid with the pellet gun was at school.
From a distance came the faint sound of a bell, starting and stopping,
starting and stopping. The squirrels scampered to the rooftop, the birds
darted to the cedars. The cat with his new collar scowled.