“Each leaf

tells the story of the tree,”

she said,

“each feather,

the story of the bird.

With each word you speak

& path you choose,

you cast your own story

out into the world…”

A rustle stirred in her

green-sprouted heart.

She smiled, bent close, & whispered:

“But always & ever,

the choosing

is yours.”

— C.Birde, 10/20