Heard
before seen,
that bird of prey
small Hawk perched
atop bare maple
Seen
before felt,
the lift & dive,
wings stretched wide
in flight
Felt
before known —
Ribs’ cage, opened
Muscled heart, unlocked
Patience,
perspective,
awareness invited
in.
— C.Birde, 2/23
I knew
you were there
for the air
parted
at my ear,
unzipped at
fifty-three strokes
per second;
for the hum and
echo
of absence
when I turned
to look
and saw only
honey-
suckle.
— C.Birde, 8/19
Clouds
blur the horizon,
smudge
the crooked line
defining
here and there,
then and now.
Slowly,
the crows return
to roost
in the evergreen’s
upswept boughs,
their wings glossy,
inked with words
unwritten.
The sky inhales,
constricts and
saturates.
The rains will pour;
the dreaming
recommence.
The words
will
f
o
l
l
o
w .
— C.Birde, 7/17
Spring’s light veiled in Winter clouds,
and birds’ songs dovetail —
Redwing Blackbirds transitioning
with Slate-colored Juncos.
— C.Birde, 3/17