Seven Birds

1
Bird and Bull

The dotterel,
stalking, sniping—so little
by the muzzle
and muddy hoof of the bull
drinking at the dam’s puddle.

2
Gesture

As a woman might
thrust out her palms, fingers splayed,
in a quick gesture
of warding—so the landing crow
shied in shock at the sight of me.

3
Disturbance

A patch of violets
in the shade of the plum tree …
then a disturbance
as a fossicking chicken
shoulders through the luscious leaves.

4
Birds and Figs

Silvereye vandals
in the fig tree’s pottery—
randomly striking
the neckless jugs, leaving red
gashes in the green glazing.

5
Delay

If I get going
as I should, when again will
I hear things as sweet
as these swallow-twitterings
from the wires in the street?

6
Preening

A dove, preening
in the leafless almond tree …
and lifting from
its breast, a little feather
that had discomforted it.

7
Shadow

Again the shadow
of an unseen bird crosses
a patch of sunlight
pooled in the shade of the tree
whose branches arch over me.

SPORES

i
Furtively lifting
a fern frond. Oh-oh, which dot
is the microfilm?

ii
Unbelievable—
innumerable ferns in Braille
on the frond’s blind side!
 

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