Communion

A cardinal perched upon my rail
one morning when the day was new;
I went outside to check the mail
when he looked up and off he flew.

Into the sky on gentle breeze,
above the lake and every tree;
beyond the reach of sadness he's
the pride of flight, so light and free.

Against the sun or daytime moon,
a spot of scarlet in the air;
content upon the wind yet soon
he finds an oak from which to share.

Bard owl appears with sleepy eye,
a chipmunk chatters on the limb;
a nest of wrens, alert yet shy,
upon the pond three mallards swim.

And even wee-folk in the wood
befriend the red-bird as he lights;
from species it is understood--
a harmony from leafy heights.

The cardinal's home up in the oak,
at peace with nature's treasured trends;
he's eye-to-eye with verdant cloak,
and heart-to-heart with all his friends.


[Rhythm: 8] (Lines; 24)
(Rhyme: ABAB)