Regardless of direction,
of source,
or intention,
the bluster
effects
us
.
.
all.
— C.Birde, 10/18
Bluster — An Image
Moon Song — A Poem
Sing —
singly,
in union;
Tooth-edged wings
scraping,
bending,
bowing
in praise —
each night —
of the moon’s
ever-
shifting
aspect.
— C.Birde, 10/18
Shelter — An Image
Together
we sheltered
within the great cap’s
shadow,
leaned against
the smooth
columnar trunk —
shoulder-to-
shoulder,
wing-blade to
wing.
We collected
the drift
of fallen spores
and made
magic.
— C.Birde, 10/18
Found, Never Lost — A Poem
Dark uncoiling
of slim
ring-necked snake
Shadow
of peregrine cast
in a rush
over blushing
stone
Porcupine quills,
strewn
like toothpicks,
like pick-up sticks
Wild turkeys,
rusticating
Poised
in autumnal air,
a Kingfisher –
hovering,
hovering,
diving
into wind-ruffled
water
Yellow witch’s
butter
Bright scarlet curve
of salamander
tucked amidst
leaf-fall
The red squirrels’
constant scolding
Myself,
returned,
renewed,
restored.
— C.Birde, 10/18
Last Day of Summer — An Image
He wore the light
of the last day
of Summer
— in his hair —
like a
crown
ablaze.
— C.Birde, 9/18
Constant — A Poem
Change
if you must
exchange your
limits —
imposed,
self-fashioned —
for broader
space.
Ivy embraces
the picket fence
and moss creeps
over stone.
Slow patter of rain
carves its own
sweet route.
Change
if you must,
if you wish.
But never forget —
small as I am —
that I have always
loved you.
— C.Birde, 9/18
Three, Unbound — A Dream
The three women stand – barefoot, shoulder-to-shoulder – before a mammoth, trapezoidal wall, a plaster expanse the deep, teal-blue of an undisturbed lagoon. Their hair tumbles, unrestrained, about their shoulders, cascades over the night-sky robes skimming their bodies. Arms uplifted, the sleeves of their robes slipping past their elbows, past their smooth forearms and biceps, they press, press, press their palms against the wall, against their own cast shadows. When, smiling, they tip their heads back, their laughter is fluid, effortless joy — the sound of blackbirds released into an unbound sky.
— C.Birde, 9/18
Wonder — An Image
May our hearts and minds
remain open,
our arms outstretched,
and our eyes
forever
wide with wonder.
— C.Birde, 9/18
Elusion — A Poem
Sleep,
interrupted —
conducive
neither to rest
nor dreams.
Ache of hips and
— roll over —
shoulders
— back —
Eyes tight-squeezed.
Tongue pressed
to teeth
in a jaw ill-
fit.
Beyond
the blanket’s heap,
time’s passage,
marked in increments
blue and ghostly.
Words and worries
and…song
— unbidden —
crowd
in looping chorus
— repeat —
— repeat —
Until sleep becomes
the dream.
— C.Birde, 9/19
Small Friends — An Image
My friends are
small and numerous,
quiet and quirky,
and
never fail
to delight.
— C.Birde, 9/18