.(
.
Oh garden bird,
you kept a wild heart
between your ribs
as you danced the morning breeze
and darted circles
through the phlox.
Your last song
was forgiveness
to the cat
before you died.
Let me hold your empty body
till I feel again the pulse
of swaying hills
and flying trees.
My wings spread
with your feathers
as we both reclaim the sky.
.
(c) 1995, 2017 Betty Hayes Albright
.
Wood carving of Song Sparrow by my Uncle Bob McCausland in 1994 – a gift for my grandmother’s 100th birthday.