Red-necked Phalarope - Delta, BC

I do not want to stand

under quiet skies.

 

I want them filled with bird song,

the intertwining symphony

of life breathing life

singing life

 

I do not want silent trees

or Silent Springs

without the buzzing

of hummingbirds

or the whisper-flight of wrens.

 

The grass has held worm

for robins, warm-breasted

and numerous —as far

into my memory as I can search.

Where are the robins now?

I haven’t seen one in so long.

 

The Aves are in decline.

 

I do not want to live

in a world without birds.

Without the intricacies of color

the dapper dancing for mates

the delicate strength of wings

teaching us to soar above things,

to be light as the wind

and quick on our feet.

 

How can I soar on wings like eagles, Lord

if there are none to inspire

my soul to lift?

 

Who will announce the gift of sun

after rain? Who will skip on delicate

feet along the shoreline, or lift

their notes on wind and wing?

 

Who will bring morning?

 

Coming too soon —

artist renderings,

a cross-stitched Avocet

on white linen, framed,

picture books and stories

telling of days when the skies

were ablaze with a flurry

of swift flying creatures

— this is what we give

to the generations?

Tales of them?

 

Empty skies

and our

remorseful eyes?

 

I cannot live

in a world without birds.

 

— forgive us our trespasses

 

Poem written by Christina Ward

Done