Little Hawk — A Poem

“Perch” — C.Birde, 2/23

Heard

     before seen,

that bird of prey

small Hawk perched

atop bare maple

Seen

     before felt,

the lift & dive,

wings stretched wide

in flight

Felt

     before known —

Ribs’ cage, opened

Muscled heart, unlocked

Patience,

perspective,

awareness invited

in.

— C.Birde, 2/23

Walk Like Water — A Poem

A photo of a white egret walking along the ocean's edge.
“Water’s Edge” — C.Birde, 1/22

Walk

  like water

    river-spined

     ocean-hipped

      heart

    a steady beat

  within its grotto,

sheltered

  each step,

    each stride,

      a rain-softened

    footfall

  arms

shore-aligned

  welcoming

    the full tide

      of becoming…

— C.Birde, 1/23

HoliDays — A Poem

An abstract photograph of light and color.
“New Year’s Eve” — C.Birde, 12/22

The holidays…

That spill & wash

of extremes –

everything &

     nothing,

chaos &

     silence,

crowds &

     isolation,

bright light &

     healing dark…

The holidays –

that span of time

that left me

on the far shore

of Self,

      breathless,

     disoriented,

     & stumbling –

have past,

& I have again,

at last regained

the holiness

of my

      own

          steps.

— C.Birde, 1/23

Winter Blues — a Poem

An artfully altered photo of a Blue Jay feather.
“Blue” — C.Birde, 12/22

Oh, falling sky – pieces of blue

tipped black & white & falling

Crying bright reply to peanuts

clacking against dark shingles

& rattling aluminum gutters,

white painted.

Jay-filled sky in blue shadows

falling toward my outstretched

hand, emptied now, but hope-

          fueled.

— C.Birde, 12/22

Caged — A Dream

An artfully altered photo of an antique birdcage.
“Cage” — C.Birde, 12/22

Uninvited,

     unexpected, they arrive…

Four men – stocky & absurd,

frowning in black overcoats

& bowler hats.

Crowding into the bathroom.

Bearing, between them,

a large birdcage –

ornate wire, curled & domed.

     On one perch,

     a red-gold parrot;

     on its twin,

     a second parrot’s skeleton;

     & on the cage’s floor,

     a lovebird contained,

          restrained,

     in a cube of wire mesh.

We done did the best we could.”

Muttering,

     shuffling, the men depart as,

tumbling from its perch,

the parrot falls,

flashing red-over-gold…

The lovebird remains…

Love,

trapped —

     caged within

     a cage.

— C.Birde, 12/22