Some Birds I have Known

1)
The high Oak tree cradles the black crow bird
Turned over on it's back, on a branch,
With inky feathers folded by it's breast.
The black crow bird sings "Tonight's like winter,
There are frost locked caskets at this oaks roots,"
As inky night sweeps him into the dark.

2)
A water colored parakeet sings in the dark
Kitchen like a kettle full of jail birds.
I chose a knife to pare a carrot root
And carefully prune a spring green celery branch.
I saute these two on a dark winter
Night as the birds arias vibrate breasts.

3)
While eating, I glimpse a Goldfinches breast
Through the window and see, that in the dark,
It's nothing like true gold in cold winter
Air. there are not any brambles for this bird
To hide in this close to the tree's frail roots;
No thick thorns grow on that low sappling branch.

4)
A drawing of Vultures on a dead branch
Hangs balanced over the sink. They sit breast
To breast, waiting for carrion at the root;
They wait for smaller birds bodies like dark
Shadows or small clouds mistaken for birds.
The Vultures bury what's leaving like winter.

5)
I step outside and night smells like winter.
The morning light will break over the branches.
The neighbors feeders fill with Sparrow Birds;
Who empty it of seeds and puff out their breasts
As light replaces nights bloody red dark
With what god planted; the worlds own first root.

6)
Dawn's light is like tender leaves on a branch,
That has awaited the sweet sleep winter
Brings to gentle hands reaching into darks
Pale nest to touch the eggs at the old root
That grows out from the nourishing worlds breast,
Where new feathers grow on the wings of birds.

7)
Cold pushes my breast to my ribs like branches.
The air is cold like winter. It is not dark.
The black crow bird is gone; flown to the root.