Maniticut Sonoma September 2, 2018

album

McFaul monarchs August 29, 2018

album

birds of happiness

Going out the doorway I catch sight of a bird

Marvelous black-and-white plumage ruffling

Calling in undertones I do not recognize

Perched so close I stop in my tracks, amazed.

Never in my life have I seen this unknown species

That would make for a special photograph

Capturing the moment to study and identify

If only I had my camera in this dream.

Going back inside to search for what is not there

Each room further from the bird left behind

Realizing the bird will be gone when I return

Flown away like time passing through.

Thinking about that strange bird appearing in my dream

As some metaphor holding meaning for me

As elusive as memories of events when we sleep

Dissolved into daylight as soon as we wake.

Three nights later I dream of yet another unknown bird

Looking closely at it as if to take a photographic memory

Noting the russet brown plumage with a white crown cap

Wanting to remember the exquisite detail in the morning.

These avian apparitions delight me with their appearance

Being a person who walks with binoculars at the ready

Carrying my camera hoping to catch a brief glimpse of motion

To record a moment of life among the light and shadows.

Such a welcome gift to receive such dream images

Though I have no expectation it will happen again

These poetical lifetime birds portend happiness

The way I see it, being on the cusp of a transition.

Skylands August 26, 2018

album