Would that the deep
green moss grew
ever underfoot
to soften the fall
of each wayward
step.
— C.Birde, 2/23
Wishing — A Poem
The Heart
Heartfound — A Poem
I scatter seed
small birds gather
pieces of my heart.
— C.Birde, 2/23
Little Hawk — A Poem
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
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
Departure — A Poem
Run, run, run
run free,
unfettered by mortality’s
pale restraints as,
when first we met,
you ran,
Electron made flesh
in four fleet paws that,
for seventeen years,
obliged earth’s gravity
in jovial orbit.
Run, run, run
run free with yip &
click & jingle, & leave us,
dear Josie,
to the heartbreak
& surreality of your
departure.
— C.Birde, 10/22
Traffic — A Dream
No matter
that I have no map,
no navigation system…
that the warp & weft
of intersecting highways
remains incomprehensible,
& the frantic push & pull
of traffic sweeps me along
with tidal force…
that strobes of light –
red & white & cautionary
yellow –
stream past in a confusion
of glancing blurs
reflecting off windshields,
steel-gray paneled bodies,
side- & rearview mirrors
dim with rain & half-light…
No matter.
I have foreseen
my arrival,
all the same.
Woodlawn,
I am coming.
— C.Birde, 8/22
An Absence of Color — A Poem
I will wear black…
The soot black
of ravens,
of crows…
The buff black
of bears’ rigor…
The inky black
of the New Moon’s
star-pricked night
as I mourn.
And,
within the depth
of my dark garment,
I will collect intent
until my shadow –
feathered in light –
blooms
in colors all
its own.
— C.Birde, 7/22
Directions — A Dream
Don’t.
Don’t ask me for directions
as you slowly drive by,
one of a long line
in a ribbon
of cars.
I walk
barefoot through downpour &
darkness at the road’s edge;
mud & grit & gravel scour
the tender soles
of my feet…
Ahead,
Stonehenge lifts in pale light…
I stand
at the striped carnival kiosk,
sorting paper scraps from
nickels from bright gold-
foiled chocolate coins;
unable to purchase
entrance.
You think
I know the way
forward?
I think
not.
— C.Birde, 5/22
Evergreen Wisdom — A Poem
Wind through
bare trees,
white-edged
with snow,
dispels illusion
of green things
quickening
growing
For a breath,
a moment only
Palms pressed
to maple’s trunk,
ears tuned to birds’
evolving song
Gazing slantwise,
past paper squares
& digital lines aglow,
beyond time
compressed,
confined…
Evergreen-wise
Heart-sight sees,
knows.
— C.Birde, 2/22
Nightjars & Damselflies 