I propose we make a bird

sanctuary right here in the back

of our head, with the crows

in the top of the trees, or the ravens,

as the case may be, reminders, omens,

good luck, of the ravine, or alley-

way, cawing, crowing, jawing; and then

inside in the back of our heads,

in this sanctuary in the back part

of our minds, cardinals, of course,

the tufted titmouse; the sparrow,

the wren; the robin, perhaps,

if lucky, will build its nest

again twice in a season, double

nested apartment, two-deckers

close to the spine, and finch,

wood-pecker, sap-sucker, and the

mocking-bird & mourning dove;

then, will come with any luck

and come what may, surrounding,

some rarities, the visitors,

the glimpses, passing through,

and maybe even to stay,

on these branches and these

synapses, these not brittle

yet fragile regenerative

pathways, berries, stepping

stones, buddings, light movement

across, of course, song.

Let the Brook flow to See,

Stale Knowledge be Kept at Bay:

Today the Split Would was Stacked

Crosswise into Networks of temples.

emily dickinson  1210                               psalm 58:7

ann

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.

.

.

.

ivy is draped from the branch

of the hackberry;   birds, constant

commute from its arteries;

we were given what we were given to see

.    .   .    .    .    .    .

how many thoughts inhabit a tree —

how many birds fly limb to limb —

travel one quadrant to another

miriam

.

what is needed to save a tree

may not be tenacity

or perspicacity

as much as capacity to see

brevity in the limbs within the brain’s

crown and sound in its flight

jubilant, joyful — we are made in pieces

pick them up in my hand again,

so it was in the Beginning, with the Suitcase

and the children.   and the hands, the hand extended —

and also, oh.  Yes, here, it is — somehow

fischio — whistle —

and Sunshine

countenance.

…

…

1203

Emily Dickinson                                                                                      Psalm 51

that these houses are not large enough —

wiped off, scraped off, shaved off

as they are, like smirks

with the side of the hand,

the debris deposited into receptacle:

EARTH FIRST

like certain diseases it atrophies

from the top down despite interventions

at the crown                   stationary

a difficult spot for a tree

to be — third one to have been

planted there — sentry

after pieces again strewn

across floor

small pitcher, plate, vase

– the Brain will not comply –

i see my own eye – lashes

numerous as legs of centipede –

dashes – iris – circle –

within my own closed eye.

runner – carpet – underfoot

from where i stand        it’s all right here

all i have to do is pull some

threads – together – for the sun

to glint     rotaries      and whistles