Sunrise

Sunrise
Sunrise on Sunset Beach

Thursday, May 16, 2019

Lament for a Rose-Breasted Grosbeak

State Botanical Garden, Athens, Georgia
April 25, 2019

He died in the height of a Georgia spring 
on a garden morning green as Eden 
when the slant of sunlight warms the wings
and lifts a feast of flying insects. 

Far from his tropical winter retreat, 
he'd crossed the Gulf on a perilous night 
and followed unfolding canopy north,
drawn toward summer breeding grounds. 

But never made it. In a spell of delight 
he dipped below a break in the woods, 
swooping and swerving for food, for joy. 
Wide blue skies were in his sight. 

The end was abrupt. 
He banked hard into high glass –
dead before he hit the ground. 
Rose-breasted beauty fell at my feet. 

I cradled his warmth in my aging hands 
to will his broken body back. My hope 
was vain billions fall in the flyways 
in a world diminished bird by bird. 



No comments:

Post a Comment