We walk the trails
and I hear the trees talk
creaking screeches
from beneath the bark.
Their sap song
celebrates spring.
We hear, wondering
what stories creaking sap sings
and wishing we grasped more meaning,
while thankful that at least
we sense their flowing feelings
about spring.
On the peaks, the snow is blinding white.
Where has it found the light to glow so brightly
beneath this cloud filled sky?
I need to find sun,
so I am an equally inspiring sight.
I step outside into the dark;
moon’s glowing so bright
it’s making shadows of the railings
And I think in dark times
Reflect the light, and
bars appear. Keep up the fight.
Each year with peace the mother geese
Find those penthouse nests after the snows
They see platforms for ospreys:
prime waterfront real estate. For a time,
they settle themselves, get comfortable,
squat home with mirth; they are there first.
But.
Each year in May there comes a day
when these geese have lost their lease.
Ospreys come back. I’ve never seen an attack
and yet one day raptor eyes appraise the skies,
and forsooth! There’s no longer a single penthouse dwelling goose!
42 Red-winged blackbirds along the little lake
5 herons in the marsh
1 eagle keeping watch on the foreshore
21 robins in the neighbour’s trees
a pair of house finches back in our blue spruce
Spring calling in the dawn and dusk
Twittering joy on the wind.
At the neighbour’s, there are twenty-one robins
purposefully flittering and twittering.
Above, the sky is baby blue;
little cloud puffs waft across, like running tykes,
(hear their giggles?)
On trees, green buds peek from each branch.
Breathe in these beginnings.
I believe, this peaceful day
is what hope looks like.
What we know about those who crave power
is that they are not the best people to have it.
Those who crave standing upon towers
and amassing fortunes are not placid.
A true leader is a servant to those he leads
Doing what is best to lift all to health and comfort
That leader provides what the community needs
True leaders don’t think they themselves should come first.
LOGOPHOBIA
Fear of the word is fear of the thing itself.
Fear aggression, strike out when you’re terrified.
Ban the words to identify your opposition.
Scary, scary words:
activism, activists, advocacy, advocate, advocates, barrier, barriers, biased, biased toward, biases, biases towards, bipoc, black and latinx, community diversity, community equity, cultural differences, cultural heritage, culturally responsive, disabilities, disability, discriminated, discrimination, discriminatory, diverse backgrounds, diverse communities, diverse community, diverse group, diverse groups, diversified, diversify, diversifying, diversity and inclusion, diversity equity, enhance the diversity, enhancing diversity, equal opportunity. equality, equitable, equity, ethnicity, excluded, female, females, fostering inclusivity, gender, gender diversity, genders, hate speech, hispanic minority, historically implicit bias, implicit biases, inclusion, inclusive, inclusiveness, inclusivity, increase diversity, increase the diversity, indigenous community, inequalities, inequality, inequitable, inequities, institutional, Igbt, marginalize, marginalized, minorities, minority, multicultural, polarization, political, prejudice, privileges, promoting diversity, race and ethnicity, racial, racial diversity, racial inequality, racial justice, racially, racism, sense of belonging, sexual preferences, social justice, sociocultural, socioeconomic, status, stereotypes, systemic, trauma, under appreciated, under represented, under served, underrepresentation, underrepresented, underserved, undervalued, victim, women, women and underrepresented.
Ban the words. Believe you’re banning the people,
instead
of calling them to action.
when they’re together
it’s a game of who’s better
who’s got money to spend
showing off for their friends
who aren’t really their friends
cultivate an image
throw money around
at least if it’s for charity
their better, better, better
so someone benefits
from the image polishing.
(For Murg)
From this dark place,
sending you space
for love and gratitude,
supportive attitudes,
help where it’s needed,
concerns that are heeded.
Sending love and grace
to that dark place
Shawn L. Bird 