My Bird Friends

When I walked outside yesterday,

they had all come.

The fat robin, the sparrows,

the preacher bird,

even the pygmy woodpecker

with her snow dappled back.

All of them, gathered round, as if to yell

Surprise!

I spread my fingers.

They scattered, but not too far--

one to the lamppost

another to the maple bough,

another still to the power line.

Whether they had simply come

now that the storm had ceased

or they truly came for me,

I don’t know.

But in matters of science or magic,

choose magic.

Forever choose magic.