Exchange — An Image

An artfully altered photo of autumn trees reflected in a slip of creek-rippled pond.
“Exchange” — C.Birde, 10/21

“Come…”

Her invitation arrived

in a refrain of gold leaves…

“We’ll watch the exchange

of russet, ochre, bronze

for green…”

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— C.Birde, 10/21

Reflection — A Poem

An artfully altered
“Beeches” — C.Birde, 10/21

Observe,

so sweet a sylvan pair

that for decades,

having side-by-side

together grown,

now glide

smooth torsos

one against another,

entangle limbs,

& gently,

oh, so gently sigh…

Observe & know –

tis yet another

thee & I.

— C.Birde, 10/21

Burnished — An Image

An artfully altered photo looking through the trees of shadow-stroked, leaf-carpeted earth.
“Burnished” — C.Birde, 10/21

“Yes,

day’s length shrinks,

pinched

at either end…”

Her leaf-crowned head

rustled agreement.

“…but I’ve burnished

the light to

g o l d…”

— C.Birde, 10/21

Twilight Bloom — A Poem

An artfully altered photo looking skyward through a towering screen of bee-filled, pale purple asters.
“Asters” — C.Birde, 10/21

Autumn’s twilight

blooms,

this froth of asters,

bee-filled & spilling –

unbridled –

about the garden’s

unkempt edges

Lace-edged foam

of white,

lilac,

lavender

borne & tended

in courtly fashion

along an ebbing

surf of green…

— C.Birde, 10/21

Sing — An Image

An artfully altered photo of a tiny blue Asiatic Dayflower tucked amongst dry leaves against a stone wall.
“Asiatic Dayflower” — C.Birde, 10/21

“Do you hear me?”

Her voice ascended –

russet,

orange,

gold.

“I sing to you through

the trembling throats

of Autumn

wildflowers…”

— C.Birde, 10/21

Rabbit Blessed — A Poem

An artfully altered photo of a rabbit nibbling grass.
“Rabbit” — C.Birde, 10/21

Forgive the intrusion;

this chance encounter,

such great, good fortune…

Dark eyes stare, fixedly, unblinking.

Legends say your Ancestor

fought the Sun, demanded

decreased heat & light, & won…

Long ears twitch & hinge & pivot.

That four spots on your cinnamon fur –

on each hind leg, behind each ear –

mark that ancient victory…

Rear leg stretches, scuffs base of ear.

Myth says, too, you are companion

to the Moon, your likeness pressed

upon her, silver-gray…

Whiskers flick, nostrils flare.

Well suited, as you may need,

to contraction or release,

is your sleek musculature & economy of form…

Wide yawn precedes a full-length sprawl

beneath the bronze-green hedge.

Mischief contradiction of creativity,

you hide in plain sight, unseen,

a duality of self, at ease…

Folds front paws, rests chin;

eyes close.

The dish in hand slopes water;

place it, eddying, on shorn grass.

The moment of connection,

of trust & recognition

slips past.

Bid farewell.

Depart –

Rabbit-blessed,

content, &

light-of-heart.

— C.Birde, 10/21

Caught — An Image

An artfully altered photo of a Helianthus flower in full bloom, from behind.
“Helianthus” — C.Birde, 10/21

“Sometimes…”

her voice slipped,

in wink & rustle,

through narrow leaves,

“I sneak up

on unsuspecting blooms,

& catch them

in the act of

photosynthesis…”

— C.Birde, 10/21

Full — A Poem

An artfully altered photo of the Full Moon rising over the Porcupine Islands of Maine's Frenchman Bay.
“Full Moon” — C.Birde, 9/21

Sea

calmly addressing

rocky shore,

wavelets undulating

Moon

lifting, watery & fully

formed,

the surrounding dark,

obliterating

And I,

breath and pulse

re-synchronizing,

one witness amid those

witnessing

And I,

my pockets brimming

with silvered,

shining,

chiming slips of light

to carry home.

— C.Birde, 9/21

Asters — A Poem

An artfully altered photo looking up through the leafy stems and pink blooms of New England Asters.
“New England Asters” — C.Birde, 9/21

Air,

thick ribbed

with insect song;

Sky,

stretched taut

with cloud,

thinned blue;

Tremor,

soft wrenching,

     v i s c e r a l.

I think of you.

Small birds

sway clinging

to seed heads,

blown…

Always,

I think of

you.

 

— C.Birde, 9/21

Beh(o/e)ld — A Poem

An artfully altered photo of a field of tall sunflowers against a cloudy blue sky.
“Sunflowers” — C.Birde, 9/21

A thousand suns

lift their heads

& turn as one

Unseeing

Unblinking

Bee-scented

rays a-tremble

Attuned to

unfathomable

source &

soundless

song.

— C.Birde, 9/21