First Ruby-Crowned Kinglet

I forgot I get excited seeing new bird species.

Photo of the Ruby-Crowned Kinglet outside my window

First Ruby-Crowned Kinglet

I was sitting at the edge, 
staring out the window
at the wisp of hesitant snow,
thinking about how 
criticism is noise
flooding my body,
watering down my ability 
to revel in reward,
to honor achievement.

When a bird I'd never seen 
crashed suddenly through
the wall of my shame
landing on the feeder outside,
and my body became light
like his flit of vellum wings.
Clouded thoughts cleared, 
snowflakes vaporized
on pavement.
A sun rose inside me,
as a child awake to awe.
Wonder is a respite,
a safe place to land.

Daybreak opened me,
through a bird.
A red accent on his head
like a perfect mistake,
spoke of surprise boldness,
reminded me
you are allowed
to claim your crafted existence 
made by the teeth
of your own will,
a song in the throat
of uncertainty,
a freedom waiting 
amongst fragile bones.
He left with the same rush of life,
leaving unspoken words.

Take this flight. Use these wings.
You are allowed to rise.

---

Thanks for taking the time to read. I'm enjoying sharing both freshly written poems and photos documenting what I see, so you can see it too, maybe in a way that brings the words to life even more. I hope wherever you are, you are staying safe and warm.