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

Restless — A Poem

An artfully altered image, as if formed in a kaleidoscope.
“Restless” — C.Birde, 4/22

Head full of noise

& unrelenting image

Kaleidoscopic colors

shift, alter

Scarlet, eggplant, umber

interrupted

Bright flashes of noise,

(pop of old house bones)…

Wind caught in trees

trapped, released

to whoosh free ‘round

blunt corners

Coyotes’ not-so-distant,

mournful song

Something else,

something other

(unidentifiable)

calls…

Sleep arrives at last…

then dreamsdreamsdreams

in concussive,

     hectic

           tumble.

— C.Birde, 4/22

Sea Prayer Song — A Poem

An artfully altered photo of a sandy bluff that falls away to the sea below.
“Atlantic (Truro)” — C.Birde, 4/22

I take my heart

to the sea

for safekeeping;

with blessings,

the pines’ sighs

pleat the air;

& the chickadees

bind us All

in song.

— C.Birde, 4/22

An artfully altered photo of a sandy path, between slim, young, pale-trunked oaks and dark evergreens.
“Sea Path (Truro)” — C.Birde, 4/22

The Month of Mars — A Poem

An artfully altered photo looking up the trunk of an old, bare-leafed oak tree, its torso stroked with shadow.
“Oak, March” — C.Birde, 3/22

O, March —

mercurial & a-brim with bluster

Encompassing

emotions’ scope, depth, & wide,

sweeping swings

Animate

Empathic

Passionate & weeping aloud

the world’s griefs,

shouting its humble victories

Accept me –

nearly as buoyant,

at turns razor-edged &

tearful in my seclusion;

your mortal expression,

your devotee.

I am yours.

— C.Birde, 3/22

Dreaming Earth — An Image

An artfully altered photo of small, white-and-blue Scyllas blooming amongst stones and oak leaves and tumbled earth.
“Scylla” — C.Birde, 3/22

“Do you not yet know?

How I cherish you?

In every bud

& feather

& tuft of fur?”

Her words lifted

from the earth’s

flowering dream.

“As I long

to be cherished

by you?”

— C.Birde, 3/22

Magnolia in Bud — A Poem

An artfully altered photo of pink and white Magnolia buds...
“Magnolia Buds” — C.Birde, 3/22

Magnolia –

tipped tight in white-

wax buds,

Arboreal candelabra

awaiting Vernal

flint & tinder’s

strike.

— C.Birde, 3/22

Peregrine — A Poem

An artfully altered photo of blue sky and cloud, with the silhouette of a Peregrine Falcon.
“”Peregrine’s Sky” — C.Birde, 3/22

Peregrine scrawls

with wingtip, cry, & talon,

inscribes blue-breasted

sky

in spirals

of concentric pattern,

dives,

drives Red-tail,

with outsized insistence,

persistently

     a – w – a – y.

— C.Birde, 3/22

Blue Jay — A Poem

An artfully altered photo of a wooded path strewn with autumn's leaves... most trees are bare, still, but for the young beeches that held onto their leaves all season.
“Peace” — C.Birde, 3/22

Blue Jay relays

news

of his poor

bruised

broken heart,

mewing

from oak tree’s

boughs…

Abide,

empyreal cousin –

the morrow stirs

with hope

of Spring.

— C.Birde, 3/22