Patter — An Image

A photography of a squirrel's tracks in the snow.
“Gray Squirrel Tracks” — C.Birde, 2/21

“My heart beats

in all creatures,

far & near

seen & unseen…”

Her words hung

in the air

betwixt snowflakes

falling.

“My heart beats

in

you.”

— C.Birde, 2/21

Snow Angel — A Poem

A photograph of a blue jay's -- wings and feet and tail -- impression in snow.
“Blue Jay’s Snow Angel” — C.Birde, 2/21

Squinting eyes

against a truth

so bright

it blinds,

like snow piled

deep and white

and wide

Depth increases

inch by inch

Another layer

falls

With tilt of head

& shift of stance

behold

the shadows

cast –

indelible,

inarguable

Fall in,

fall in

Arms and legs,

widespread,

impress angelic

range.

Fall in-

to insight and

arise renewed

again.

— C.Birde, 2/21

Strike a Pose — A Dream

Photo of the Hanged Man Tarot Card in reversed form.
“The Hanged Man (Reversed) — Rider Tarot Deck” — C.Birde, 2/21

Right foot here,

Left foot there

Spine straight

Hips square

Ribs knit

Chest lifted

Earth rooted

Heaven crowned…

Observe Tree Pose

& clearly see

similarity

to The Hanged Man

(reversed):

Release

Detachment

Altered View

Fear of Sacrifice

Drishti set

on the horizon

Balance & surrender

Vain struggles cease

Find, in equilibrium,

freedom to embrace

this change

in perspective,

freedom to accept

what

is.

— C.Birde, 2/21

Tracks — An Image

An augmented photograph of animal tracks in the snow.
“Tracks” — C.Birde, 2/21

Though

I tried I

could not find

her

for the depth of

snow that had

fallen…

— C.Birde, 2/21

Wounds — A Poem

A close up augmented photo of a Bleeding Heart's single bloom.
“Bleeding Heart” — C.Birde, 2/21

Lodged

between the ribs

So near the heart’s

sweet beating

Ember

of doubt and fear

Smoldering

Compressed &

prone to flare

at least provocation

Legacy of grief

Invisible

Unseen

Forged so long ago

Catching at all

kindling

Acknowledge it

Smother it

Cover it or

cut it out

It won’t be doused

Ever raw

Lodged & always

burning.

— C.Birde, 2/21

Dreams in Snow — An Image

A photo taken at night -- backlit; a tree casts its shadow forward over a snow-covered hedge upon a smooth surface of snow.
“Snow Shadow” — C.Birde, 2/21

“I shall bury myself

beneath blankets

white & deep…”

Her voice —

adrift,

muffled,

indistinct.

“& begin

to dream spring

into being…”

— C.Birde, 2/21

Looking Backward — A Dream

A cluster of brilliant orange orchids, hanging from overhead.
“Orchid” — C.Birde, 2/21

Solitary passenger

in the way, way back

of this long green

station wagon

Tailgate gaping

Sweet tabby cat

(alternating gray

& tea-with-cream)

for company

Far up front –

with select passengers –

the vehicle’s pilot

guides it backwards

along a curving road

as, to the left,

the great, gray sea

falls down, away,

& to the right

& overhead twists

a jungle-y clamor

of green

See?

Amongst those vines

& great broad leaves,

the Good Lord Bird!

And more –

Downy,

Red-Headed,

-Bellied…

Uncharacteristically

slipping sturdy beaks

into vibrant blooms

& sipping

Elating

Breathtaking

Calling out their names

& pointing

But to whom?

For they,

so far up front,

so far away,

can’t see.

— C.Birde, 2/21

Light & Shadow — Am Image

The elongated blue shadow of an ornamental tree cast on a thin layer of untouched snow.
“Light & Shadow” — C.Birde, 1/21

“Light returns!”

Her voice glittered

on the wind’s bladed edge.

“Feed your heartfire

on this everlasting

hope.”

— C.Birde, 1/21