Embrace — A Poem

Within Tree Womb.jpg
“From Within” — C.Birde, 3/16

 

Step within that ligneous womb;

receive

the Tree’s embrace.

Press spine to sapwood,

cheek to curve of fibrous wall.

Close your eyes.

Breathe.

Within that smooth-edged concavity,

lend your heart,

the rapid patter of that bright muscle’s

beat —

so contrary to arboreal thrum

that has pulsed a

century

too low for human ears to hear,

more deliberate,

more at ease.

Emerge renewed with Sylvan tongue,

beneath a sky unfolding

dream.

–C.Birde, 3/16

Tree Womb detail.jpg
“Sycamore Womb” — C.Birde, 3/16

 

 

Dreams of Spring — A Poem

 

 

Still, She sleeps,

and doubtless dreams

(as do I)

of slips of things

new and green —

curling, budding, tendrilling.

Waxing Moon pressed to Her brow,

sunlight’s memory gathered to Her heart.

Veins, a migration of stirring wings.

Patience,

patience —

The dream remains unbroken.

Disturb Her not.

And when I cry aloud for haste —

please,

please —

remind me of the same.

 

— C.Birde, 2/16

 

Tree shadow over grass.jpg
“Shadow over Grass” — C.Birde, 2/16

 

 

Full Snow Moon — An Image

 

 

Carrie's moon bigger.jpg
“Full Snow Moon” — C.Birde, 2/16

 

I stood in quiet, chill-winged night to observe the Full Moon, to measure its pulse — steady — and discern its aura — unruffled. We toil below in never-ceasing motion, commotion, emotion. The benign Moon remains.

Cranes — A Poem

Hope and heartache —

that small fluctuating flock

gathered in slender maple’s limbs,

suspended adrift,

strung at the ends of gilt threads.

Once square sheets of paper,

smooth white bellies inscribed

in ink and symbol,

folded, creased, refolded,

each careful line pressed smooth.

Cathartic act —

bright birds hatched,

conjured from one dimension,

each a care transfigured

and set to flutter within that humble tree

in ephemeral offering

to Time and weather’s whim

and dissolution —

And yet, year round,

the tree leans,

abloom in brilliant color.

 

–C.Birde

Crane in flight 2.jpg
“Crane in Flight” — C.Birde, 2/16

 

 

 

Gentleman Tree — An Image

Gentleman Tree.jpg
“Gentleman Tree” — C.Birde, 2/16

He stood just off the path, observing his brethren arrayed along the downward slope of hill. Tall and hale, unbent by time, clad in elbow-patched tweeds. We exchanged wordless greeting, each unwilling to disturb the other’s contemplation. I did not learn his name, but no doubt, we will meet again.

Gray Notes — A Poem

Color of fog and feathers,

of cool appraisal and expressionless gaze;

of shadows and headstones

and earth’s exposed and tumbled bones.

Color of passionless judgment,

of days’ old snow;

a friend of long lost years ago.

Color of shingles and slates,

smoke and chimney swifts;

of the hammered plate of February sky

inverted, enveloping;

of hills obscured by atmosphere.

Color of heart’s silence,

and murmuring peal of bells.

Color of cats and coyotes

and the Moon’s waterless seas;

of oysters and bruises and memory;

of ghosts and half-truths,

Magic and melancholy.

The pencil’s path over paper,

building, constructing;

the smooth skins of beeches

and slender young maples.

Color of age and wisdom,

thin filaments threading honeyed hair.

Winter’s Monochrome,

composed in subtle notes

of Gray.

— C.Birde

Gray Winter Day.jpg
“Gray Day in Winter” — C.Birde, 2/16