You might see the outline of a figure in the distance
See how they move as they walk and know
Who it is who moves that way.
You might hear the sound of a voice in the next room
Hear just a few words in a phrase and know
Who it is who speaks that way.
Some people know birds that well.
You might scan all around up and down
To catch a fleeting glimpse of movement
Or hear a distinct few notes of a call or song.
You might turn towards the sound and peer
Into the vegetation into the wiggling leaves
Hoping to find the source of the sound.
We strain to see it when we do not know it.
We find the bird sometimes but sometimes
We look and look and cannot find the hidden one
Camouflaged in the canopy.
No matter that the bird sings right in front of us.
No matter that we walk left and right looking carefully.
No matter that we try watchful waiting.
Try as we may, try as we might, not this time.
