They say finch is in the attic running out of songs to sing
tracking circles on sun-dusted floorboards for the good
of all bird kind. Once, bluejay who was jealous of cardinal’s
red coat slit his scarlet neck with a honey locust thorn.
Then there was burrowing owl who kept burrowing deep
into earth’s mantle until he retired in a magma nest. They
say he was desperate to return to the beginning of creation
and start over. Later, the birds of nautical paradise swooned
for food and died with plastic in their bellies. Have you seen
the tanagers, curlews, and ravens? Where are the plovers,
magpies, and whimbrels? They are all following the whistling
swans through the dark tributaries. In the serene between storms
you can hear them whistle row, row, row… life is but a dream.
Donelle Dreese is a poet, novelist, essayist, and Professor of English at Northern Kentucky University where she teaches multicultural and environmental literatures, women’s literatures, and writing courses. She is the author of three collections of poetry including Sophrosyne (Aldrich Press). Donelle is also the author of the novels Deep River Burning (WiDo Publishing) and Cave Walker (Moon Willow Press). Her writing has appeared in a wide variety of magazines and journals including Blue Lyra Review, Roanoke Review, Louisville Review, and Potomac Review.
Image by Buzz Anderson
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