
Each leaf,
a breath
captured,
collected,
Falling,
now fallen
in sweet
exhalation.
A volume of sighs —
oak & maple,
sassafras, linden,
& hickory —
strewn
at
our
feet.
— C.Birde, 11/18

Each leaf,
a breath
captured,
collected,
Falling,
now fallen
in sweet
exhalation.
A volume of sighs —
oak & maple,
sassafras, linden,
& hickory —
strewn
at
our
feet.
— C.Birde, 11/18

Gently
— so gently —
the leaves drift
& fall.
Let them rest…
Let them share
— in rustling, rasping voice —
their tale
of fickle light
& forfeit height
with the
ever-patient
earth.
— C.Birde, 11/18

Halloween,
that narrow,
bone-thin,
spectral eve
when we neatly fold
and lay aside
our everyday disguises
and pretend to be —
’til midnight’s peak —
something other
than what
we otherwise pretend
each day
to be.
— C.Birde, 10/18


These small, sweet wands —
liberally scattered
amongst leaf-fall and weeds;
at curbside and
humble margins —
are sufficient
for
magic.
— C.Birde, 10/18

All of Summer’s
light —
in diminished height —
angles in Autumn’s
outstretched
arms.
Oracle Autumn.
Astrologer.
Fortune Teller.
Caster of leaves and
stones and runes
beneath the Hunter’s
moon.
Elder twin to budding,
carefree Spring.
Wise,
with haunted eyes
of Winter,
and bruised with
impending memory.
Lovely,
breathless,
quick-silver
Autumn.
— C.Birde, 10/18

Shining Sweetgum
sagely scatters
scores
of
seedpods,
spiked & spherical.
— C.Birde, 10/18

Regardless of direction,
of source,
or intention,
the bluster
effects
us
.
.
all.
— C.Birde, 10/18

Sing —
singly,
in union;
Tooth-edged wings
scraping,
bending,
bowing
in praise —
each night —
of the moon’s
ever-
shifting
aspect.
— C.Birde, 10/18

Dark uncoiling
of slim
ring-necked snake
Shadow
of peregrine cast
in a rush
over blushing
stone
Porcupine quills,
strewn
like toothpicks,
like pick-up sticks
Wild turkeys,
rusticating
Poised
in autumnal air,
a Kingfisher –
hovering,
hovering,
diving
into wind-ruffled
water
Yellow witch’s
butter
Bright scarlet curve
of salamander
tucked amidst
leaf-fall
The red squirrels’
constant scolding
Myself,
returned,
renewed,
restored.
— C.Birde, 10/18

Part the
drape of light and shadow.
Step along
the leaf-fallen carpet.
Enter.
Realign.
Follow.
— C.Birde, 11/17