Loyalty — An Image

An up-close photo of a white datura flower, in full bloom. A tiny insect traverses one of its petals...
“Datura” — C.Birde, 7/22

Wreathed

in pale,

lemon-scented Datura,

softly,

she spoke:

“May all your loyalties be

true,

worthy,

&

returned.”

— C.Birde, 7/22

Light — An Image

“Tourne Light” — C.Birde, 6/22

She wrapped me

in Summer’s cloak,

pressed a star’s kiss

to my brow,

& said:

“Do not let

your grief

douse

your light.”

— C.Birde, 7/22

The Four Sisters — An Image

A photo looking up through the green-leafed canopy of four old oak trees.
“The Four Sisters” — C.Birde, 6/22

“Come with me…”

she took my hand,

drew me through her

birdsong wake.

“We’ll sit together

at the Four Sisters’ knees

& listen

to their green-leafed

memories.”

 

— C.Birde, 6/22

Wood Thrush Wood — A Poem

A photo of an earthen track through a woodland in mid-spring ...
“Wood Thrush Wood” — C.Birde, 6/22

Hands clasped

& pressed

to breast-

bones,

we stood –

enraptured –

as Wood Thrush

dropped

each liquid note

down through

the trees’ canopy –

like hope,

like light –

then alit

upon the path

before us

& took

his unassuming

bow.

— C.Birde, 6/22

Simultanesousness — An Image

A photo of two young sassafras trees, side-by-side, as if in conversation.
“Sassafrasses” — C.Birde, 5/22

“All things exist…”

She held the wind

in her arms,

& song in her hair;

her stance gathered

forests, rivers,

mountains.

“…in a state of

simultaneous-

ness.”

— C.Birde, 5/22

Wisdom — A Poem

An artfully altered photo of a Garter Snake moving through the leafmold along the forest floor.
“Garter Snake” — C.Birde, 5/22

Four snakes –

Slim black

          ribbons

of tongue-

flicking,

flexible life

          scrawled

across my path:

Four compass

          points

of blessing

Four strokes

          of wisdom

Four opportun-

ities to shed

          my skin

& begin

          again.

— C.Birde, 5/22

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

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