One Bird

Bird on rope
sits
in quiet contemplation

Crimson sun
frames
tiny song messenger

Avian contends with
dangers
speaking its own foreign tongue

Human writing poem
wishes
to understand this language

Before the next
sunset
winged creature flies home

first clematis

first clematis

lonely clematis
first one to arrive
grace this unadorned stone wall
before long other blossoms will flourish
craft a blush carpet

along this tall divider
awakened from winter’s
slow sleep opened lilac blooms
brighten fertile vines
in summer’s mirthful rotation

invite into your center’s heart
honey bees and hummingbirds
to feed, to spread your beauty
companionless clematis you live
today and die tomorrow

while you breathe the Lord
loves your provisions
when you expire He will gather
all your companions into His arms
as He does with each cherished creation