The Cardinal

The Cardinal

The Cardinal sweeps - from branch to tree
A powerful leap - and wings that spread
I spot him in the jungle of my yard - a vision small and red
For in this garden - no plains nor hills
Nor yellow field of daffodils
Behind the shed - between the trees
I glance at something in the leaves
And in the wind that carried he - he sought the gentle land
Once above in the oldest oak - his descent was quick and grand
To seek a tiny feast - grazing on the smallest stance
Little notes he played for me - his head bopping in a dance
From my window did I spy
This bird on grass - standing on his plate
I wanted to be in his morning sun
And one by one began to contemplate
For every hour I’m asleep - as the sun begins it’s a.m. rise,
Dreaming as the mind is not awake
What comes to eat from grapeless vines
The cardinal is in his house - outside my shingled home
His nest I haven’t seen as yet
Though each morning I see him roam
He has a mate - and so do I
Two couples side by side
One lives in a man made place
The other free to fly away
And through my window - outside the glass
In summer I beckon the breeze to come
Before I set the juice on my wooden table
- The Cardinal is done
Blissful and in good company
I change my mind and decide to join his friends
All the birds in my backyard - my patio shall lead me to them
Seeking to be in the song without words - I become the early bird
Here I am - it’s 8 a.m. - and to the tallest tree they’ve flown
When I was young - an adventurous girl
I’d stretch my arms and run
I’m flying! - through innocence of my childhood
All to meet the sun
Now years and years have made me learn - the love to be a child
Everything’s possible when you’re small -
To be a Cardinal

~fin~