College Turkeys

Several years ago, I worked in a computer lab at the university I attended as a graduate student. Since I was the one who usually had to open the lab, I often got to campus very early, and was one of the first people in the parking lot.

Getting up early and commuting on the Merit Parkway was not fun. Sometimes there would be traffic jams. Other times, there was so much ice, I could barely get to work safely.

As much as I hated the commute, sometimes there were nice parts about arriving early.

The campus bordered a forest, and every once in a while, a group of wild turkeys wandered around in the early morning.

Few people saw them because they were usually there before classes started and campus offices and labs opened.

But those who got to see them got a real treat.

Those turkeys were huge. Their brown feathers were beautiful in the morning sun.

They would always wander together in a group, like a family, or a close pack of friends.

They looked so regal wandering through the parking lot, having the whole area to themselves, like royalty reigning over their kingdom.

Sometimes they would talk, but usually they let their beauty talk for them.

I would always stop the car to watch them parade along back to the forest.

No matter how tough my commute was, seeing theirs made the day so much brighter.