Goldfinches by Mary Oliver
Some goldfinches were having a melodious argument at the edge of a puddle. The birds wanted to bathe, or perhaps just to dip their heads and look at themselves, and they were having trouble with who should be first, and so on. So they discussed it while I stood in the distance, listening. Perhaps in Tibet, in the old holy places, they also have such fragile bells. Or are these birds really just that, bells come to us--come to this road in America--let us bow our heads and remember now how we used to do it, say a prayer. Meanwhile the birds bathe and splash and have a good time. Then they fly off, their dark wings opening from their bright, yellow bodies; their tiny feet, all washed, clasping the air.

Putting aside all the horrid things happening around the world, thank you for this image. I like that the image above them is of violence; it relays hope that we will remember, will get better, will ...wear suits...and play cards?
ReplyDeleteI don't know what this means, but the picture makes me happy, and since Mrs Shambles put the kabash on the framed "A Friend in Need" dogs playing poker picture I had, it makes me nostalgic.
Thank you.