west branch bridge building

album

fleeting glimpse

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.

baltimore oriole duet

presby iris gardens

album