Woodland — An Image

An artfully altered photo of a spring woodland with a foreground of creeping phlox.
“Creeping Phlox” — C.Birde, 5/22

“Remember

when we walked

arm-in-arm

through

the blue-green

wood?

You said

you would

return…”

Leaves rustling,

flowers blooming,

she paused.

“I’m waiting…”

— C.Birde, 5/22

Directions — A Dream

An artfully altered black-and-white photo of Stonehenge.
“Stonehenge, ’91” — C.Birde, 5/2

Don’t.

Don’t ask me for directions

as you slowly drive by,

one of a long line

in a ribbon

of cars.

I walk

barefoot through downpour &

darkness at the road’s edge;

mud & grit & gravel scour

the tender soles

of my feet…

Ahead,

Stonehenge lifts in pale light…

I stand

at the striped carnival kiosk,

sorting paper scraps from

nickels from bright gold-

foiled chocolate coins;

unable to purchase

entrance.

You think

I know the way

forward?

I think

not.

— C.Birde, 5/22

Beauty — An Image

An artfully augmented photo of a woodland path, the foreground sprinkled with Spring Beauty wildflowers.
“Spring Beauties” — C.Birde, 5/22

“May your path

be strewn

with beauty – ”

she gestured,

& flowers bloomed.

“May you recognize it

as so.”

 

— C.Birde, 5/22

 

 

 

 

 

Immersion — A Poem

An artfully altered photo of hedges, trees, grass, and sky.
“Immersion” — C.Birde, 5/22

Youth’s coverlet of red

spread over green grass

sprigged with violets

Scarf of owls concealing

eyes closed against

the sun…

Inhaling

Blue Jay’s declarations

& Cardinal’s belling call

White-throated sparrow’s

soft query

& House Sparrows’

collective colloquy

Catching

Chipmunk’s mild distress

scratched & scuffled

against the downspout’s

hollow

While,

the Wind prowls overhead

like an enormous cat,

weaves in & out & through

spruce’s bristled limbs

& maples’ fern-laced leaves

& reaches  d

                     o

                       w

                          n  to pluck

the tassled, blue-gray scarf

of sheltering owls with wings

o u t s p r e a d.

 

— C.Birde, 5/22

 

Cherry Tree — An Image

An artfully altered photo of an old cherry tree, its limbs laden with blushing blossoms.
“Cherry Tree in Bloom” — C.Birde, 4/22

“I arrive

in a flurry of petals,”

her voice sailed,

sweetly scented,

“White, pink, yellow…

given to you

on April’s

tossing breeze.”

— C.Birde, 4/22

Sunshine — A Poem

An artfully altered photo of a dandelion.
“Sunshine Dandelion” — C.Birde, 4/22

          Sunshine –

heatless word fed to

the Changeling to convey

complexity of feeling,

to sidestep

fine hairline breaks,

over Time’s span,

accumulating…

In a moment’s blaze,

the maze of eggshells

so long

& carefully cultivated,

crushed to powder

underfoot…

Each from the other

propelled in orbits

unanticipated beyond

a moniker’s bright veil

toward ashes

of that hopeful word’s

well-intentioned light

now drained of warmth,

darkly eclipsed,

extinguished,

          lost.

— C.Birde, 4/22

Parley — A Dream

A pencil sketch portrait of a anamorphic Wyvern.
“Wyvern” — C.Birde, 4/22

When deep underground

in vast subterranean caverns

that drip with moisture &

winged shadow & echoes

of past, present, &

oh-so-uncertain futures –

do not attempt to parley

with Wyverns;

Nostrils seeping brimstone,

they will sit quietly grinning

across the conference table’s

great gleaming length of wood

& agree to every- & anything

that creates a sense of ease…

All to their own strategic

advantage.

An exercise,

for you,

in utter

         futility.

— CBirde, 4/22

Earth — An Image

A photo of an elevated swell of hill, seen from below through a veil of trees.
“Tourne Landscape” — C.Birde, 4/22

I hear your whisper,

answer your call,

sing chorus

to your melody.

There is no

separateness.

You & I

are We.

— C.Birde, 4/22

Recognition — A Dream

An artfully altered photo of a Sycamore tree against a blue sky filled with white clouds.
“Sycamore” — C.Birde, 4/22

“Describe the Mother…”

     “Describe the Queen…”

Their voices overlapped,

     currents on a cerebral shore,

deep blue & green in refrain.

Without hesitation, he answered:

     “She stepped from the dark

hollow of a great white Tree

     fully formed & radiant,

an image shimmering with

     intensity – a sight to see.”

He paused to catch his breath,

     then continued, surprised:

“I knew her instantly.”

— C.Birde, 4/22

Sage — An Image

An artfully altered photo of grand, old oak trees, not yet leafed out.
“The Sisters” — C.Birde, 4/22

“We are tied,

you & I,

“inextricably intertwined,”

her words pulsed

with Time’s unfolding,

“Your actions writ

upon my canvas.

Be wise.

Be kind.”

— C.Birde, 4/22