the dove the chickadee the cardinal

(her) (she) pecked ate diligently at

the thistle seeds on the white tablecloth, picnic

calm their heads together

and at any rate it was that stretch

of sidewalk up ahead, extending toward

lake, ravine, bridge, park — and now’s

the now of snowflake and snowflakes

messaging.

snow is a blessing —— in this

sense — the brain’s

vehicles start moving on those

familiar turnpikes

roundabouts

avenues

———

the eye move-

ment — laughter,

same switch.