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THE DOVE OF PEACE Copyright © 1988 Jeff Linder
Wind Walker

The first time I saw her, she had dirt on her face, kneeling in the grass, searching. I was searching too, but unlike her, I knew not for what.

I stopped, and asked her if she needed some help. She said she would appreciate it. She had lost her favorite earring while climbing the tree. She showed me the other one - It was a pretty thing, a small dove in full flight.

We talked during our search and I began to realize that possibly I had completed my search. "If I find the dove", I asked, "Would you give me a slight reward ?" She smiled and asked what that might be. "Just the opportunity to see your face clean and smiling tonight, maybe dinner?"

Just then I saw a tip of a wing in the grass. Picking it up, cupping the dove in one hand, I held it out towards her, waiting for her answer. She took it from me, smiled and said, "Thank you very much, but I'm sorry, I can't."

Then she walked away into the shadows of the falling dusk. I sat there, still smelling the freshness of her lingering in the air. I'm not sure how long I sat there thinking of her, but my thoughts were broken by a man who wandered by and said, "Hello."

He told me he came to this tree often. Why I asked. "My sister used to climb this tree. It was her favorite place." "Was?" I asked? "Yes. A year ago today she was here in the park and was coming home. For some strange reason, she stopped right in the middle of the street and grabbed her ear. At least, that's what the truck driver said she did right before - -", he trailed off. " Funny thing, she only had one of her favorite earrings on. We looked all over the street, later, because we knew she would want them with her. A pair of doves of peace."


I looked at him and said, "She found it ." And I looked into the shadows - still smelling the freshness of her lingering in the air.


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