On hearing a bird in the meadow

While walking my dog one morning,
I heard a bird in the meadow:
"Long short short short",
It called from in hiding,
Then a sighing, "High low,"
Another answered in echo.
As I walked I fit those notes
To the words of a hymn from long ago -
Half remembered from when I was young:
"My life, my love, my one,
To you to you I call,
I could not live if you are gone
You're my all in all."
Of a sudden
I had a song, beautiful and fine,
The joy of creation
Oh it felt strong!

While my dog slept on the couch,
I found some free software
And keyed it in.
I added a bass line,
A tenor counter melody
And gave the altos what notes
Seemed needed to complete the harmony.
I walked on air!
I went everywhere,
Singing it in my mind,
Filled with joy sublime!

I thought of it again a month or two ago,
And oh it turned out to be a dull thing.
It's funny though,
When I wake alone, scared by time's passing,
I have only to remember that feeling,
And think on its half resurrected line
To fall asleep in peace, feeling fine.