The Birds

* * * Song of a Shama at Dusk Behind my house the shama sang greenery light and blue-note shadow— as if the burning cities were only evening news teams.…

I recognized the internal rotation of her shoulders, the near scowl on her face as she strode haltingly through the halls. Self-protection. She had a slight build with long legs…

* * * After an afternoon of sullen grump and frown lines—swift and heavy, resembling a cut, deeper for its unchartedness, I stop to listen to the avian row of…

* * * The Art of Mothering Sparrow like a seamstress Pleats feather upon feather Shielding the nestlings From the perils of cosmos Not one of them will Perish of…

I knew it was time to leave Brooklyn when it was so quiet I heard them. Loud, on a 6:00 p.m. walk with the dog around the park. Not pigeon…

* * * Let’s have a look around Loneliness waits in the kitchenw wears a tuxedo wwEveryone misses the roses also a triangle in her throatwwwa circle in her mouthwwand…

1. Origins and distributions We hear birds at night. I imagine they are cardinals but Lou argues for sparrows. We know for sure they aren’t supposed to be here. But…

* * * The beginning Breath in, Breath out. Bring your arms up to the ceiling, Inhale— Drop your arms, And exhale. Drop your eyes to the floor, Let your…

* * * Yesterday, rain brushed every window white, locking us deeper inside. Today, birds mouth mats of mud. In crevices under the deck, the robin is too obvious a…

photo credit: Tim Walker * * * Young concert goers side by side took in the symphony in equal parts, both knew to hold applause until all movements marked their…

Too happy Time dissolves itself And leaves no remnant by – ‘Tis Anguish not a Feather hath Or too much weight to fly – —Emily Dickinson   Not long into…

1. Once upon a time a young girl lives her life free from the constraint of clothing. She is vulnerable, as you might expect. Perhaps even unaware of her vulnerability…

* * * “Bird and a mammal!” Ellie demanded. “Not now.” “Name them!” Chief was still setting up his slideshow. “Penguin and a tiger.” Ellie nodded and started drawing. Chief…

My dog sees the gull before I do. She strains at the leash, pulling toward the shifting grey shape, which becomes a filthy bundle of feathers, which becomes an injured…