|
ELLEN
BRYANT VOIGT | The Feeder
For Michael Collier
1. Bright
blossom on the shrub's green lapel—
within hours after we hang the feeder
beside the wild viburnum, a goldfinch lights there.
And then, next day, a rose-breasted grosbeak
posing for us, making us proud as though
we'd painted ourselves, on the puffed white chest,
its bloody bib: our first failing.
Our
second:
disappointment with the chickadees—
common and local—despite the sleek black cap,
clean white cheeks, acrobatic body.
But weren't the early gifts a promise?
We've hung fat meat from a nearby branch, wanting
large, crested, rare, rapturous,
redbird fixed on the bush like a ripe fruit.
next
|
