“shorebirds” by George Keenen
I like to see the day come up:
the water still, the mist.
Birds come in the dark, belly-
flopping on the pane of water,
shattering the contemplation
of the palms. When the light
arrives, there they are,
american coots, brown
pelicans, curlews stilts heron,
and it seems like a painting,
matching pinks on sky and
water, each bird a human type.
Each lightening color registers
my own presence & certitude.
To others who see only
dumpster, crow, rotting car,
I say you see yourself.
Light fully up, the snowy
egret glides in, lands silently
and takes its stand on the shore.
