Holding Light — An Image

An artfully altered image of an oak tree, lit up by the setting sun's light.
“Holding Light” — C.Birde, 5/21

“Despite our flaws –

large & small,

real or imagined –”

her voice swayed

on mild breeze,

“we each hold

the capacity

of great

light.”

— C.Birde, 5/21

Catbird Summerland — A Poem

An artfully altered image of pink dogwood blossoms.
“Dogwood” — C.Birde, 5/21

From the pink

dogwood,

dropping notes –

bright petals,

raindrops,

shadows

onto clear water –

that fall in explicit,

random pattern;

reclaiming

Summerland

through song –

recognizable,

indefinable.

My heart unbolts…

At last,

     at last…

I’ve awaited

your

     return.

— C.Birde, 5/21

Swoon — A Poem

An artfully augmented photo of blooming lilacs, up close.
“Lilacs” — C.Birde, 5/21

Lilac perfume

& swoon

of chartreuse,

pollen-ed

air…

A-swim

& stippled in

Spring’s ritual

laving…

Every pore

aware.

— C.Birde, 5/21

In Pink — An Image

An artfully altered photo of a cluster of blossoming pink cherries.
“Cherry Blossom” — C.Birde, 4/21

“I am,”

she said

with sly smile

& wink,

“quite literally

living in the

(yellow-white-violet)

pink…”

— C.Birde, 4/2

YouthFrill — A Poem

An artfully altered photo of a white oak, frilled with tender new growth.
“YouthFrill Oak” — C.Birde, 4/21

New growth

on old wood –

tender green,

delicate

and

frilled –

Living proof

that youth

belongs not

solely

to the young,

but

to all those

who begin

   anew.

— C.Birde, 4/21

Entrusted — An Image

A close-up altered photo of a Bleeding Heart flower.
“Bleeding Heart” — C.Birde, 4/21

“Yes,

I know…”

Even as she spoke,

her infinite heart

entrusted its pulse

to all things.

“O, yes,

I’ve missed you,

too.”

— C.Birde, 4/21

Wisp — A Poem

A close-up photo of Spring Beauty wildflowers.
“Spring Beauty” — C.Birde, 4/21

Pale wisp

of breath,

of life,

that I am

Petal-filled

with Spring,

with drifts

of redbud

& cherry,

crabapple

& quince

Pray, do not

restrict me

to such

narrow space

of heart

that I fade

from memory

upon

     exhalation.

— C.Birde, 4/21

Green-Tongued Song — An Image

An altered photo of a great Norway Maple, fringed in new leaves.
“Olaf, Norway Maple” — An Image

“Sing with me”,

she trilled,

“our tongues curling

‘round each fleet,

green note;

‘round the tender sound

of each new leaf

unfurling…”

— C.Birde, 4/21

Gift of Spring — A Poem

An artistically altered photo of a teeny tiny wildflower, called Henbit.
“Henbit” — C.Birde, 4/21

Spring —

season

of promise and

uncertainty;

that green-frilled,

pink-budding gift,

waiting

to be

o

p

e

n

e

d.

— C.Birde, 4/21

Yellow — An Image

An up-close photo of a yellow daffodil.
“Daffodil” — C.Birde, 4/21

“In yellow,

I rejoice,”

she swept her arms

wide as her

grin,

“You will see me

a’thrill

in each daffodil &

forsythia,

each dandelion &

goldfinch

returning.”

— C.Birde, 4/21