I see you tipped forward in the columbine

another bird funeral candidate

a mystery death in this messy peace garden

I hesitate to remove you from your last perch

carry out the necessary task—

(melancholy comes too easily these days)

and you flutter, relocate to the cherry tree

its buds just emerging new

sunlight shining through from the east

We pause

Maybe you only wanted me to see you

contemplate your quiet grace🪶