(for Bret and Sue, in memory of Eli)

the tiny bird needed
someone with the fierce
and tender heart of Buddha
to scoop green feathers
into cupped palms

someone who knew
–oh, how you knew–
to neither cringe at dying
nor waste hope for living

but only to watch
to feel the quivering heartbeat
to listen for the feeble chirrup
to look into the white-ringed eye
to say I am here
to feel the slide of feathers
as wings took the shape
of your palms
and filled them with air
with a whole world

light as ashes
scattered over sunset

Gratitude List:
1.  How tidy the bank looks after I have mowed
2.  Sweat
3.  Root Beer Floats
4.  Golden tomatoes that look like the sun
5.  Hummingbird

May we walk in Beauty.