Jan
14
“Cardinal Rules” By Nancy Paddock
nourish yourself
close to the ground
but when you fly
redden the sky with bright wings
stay close
to the cover of dark branches
a red
alert to danger
but not afraid
feed peacefully
with small chickadees and sparrows
content with crumbs
the world provides
enough
when the jay comes
hungry and screaming
vanish
like a flame
extinguished in the wind
and in the cold
in the days of iron frost
do not complain
but stuff your belly with the seeds
of your own burning
life
and fluff up your feathers
to hold in heat
even with your thin feet
deep in snow
sing
