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Psalm Bird

Society

Spring Debut

April 2012

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Table of Contents: (This message will self-construct)

Disclaimer:

If you should stumble upon,

Obscured in distance, your wits get lost,

Sense a spy among us,

This is foolproof play, not fraud,

You’ve been provoked by Phoenix—

Paper bullets, miss your shot,

Resistance, resurrection borne,

When you think you have sighted her,

She’ll change form . . .

- H.

Balanced Beaming

It's not built in straw, and it shovels kind of weak.

Took a drill through the back, 6 feet up on a balance dream.

Waking up to scents of the bean within a pot, watch it steam.

-Phoenix

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Baseball

I’ve got the Power.

I keep it on reserve.

I’d rather have them cower,

Than fail to catch the Curve.

-H.

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Silent Teacher

My dogs have taught me a lot of things:

Pride, how to be patient,

Assertive and consistent,

Living in the moment, among so much more;

But most importantly,

They taught me how to flip six eggs at once.

-Birddog

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Sold

Branded snow-capped trees

As untouchable

As they seem, so lifeless

This gracefulness

I sit in a comfy spot

Framing beauty

It is mine

No more

-Ruddy Turnstone

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Dam Breaking

Imaginary cages, trapped, but not inside.

Infected by the flow, standing still as it rushes through.

Ruby red heels, tap tap atop the lies.

Reflection in your eyes of truths you cannot hide.

-Phoenix

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Flight Risk

Hundreds of loads of laundry done, lunches packed, dinners made,

Nights spent talking instead of sleeping.

You inspired me to right my wrongs as soon as I could.

I wanted to be the best version of me, for you.

But as time went on,

I realized my feelings were the only ones that were strong.

Last night you broke our plans, so I broke off our relationship.

However, what really happened was you broke my heart.

I told you, for the first time, that I loved you; I went home and then

Returned to you. In my hands, I carried a journal that I’ve been

Writing love letters to you in.

I had planned to give this to you the night before we became one.

But instead, I gave it to you when our shadows became singular as

we walked.

When Peter Pan lost his shadow, he lost his ability to fly.

Now that I lost your shadow next to mine, I search for my wings.

But as the great cardinal stands, bold beautiful and red,

I will also be strong, with a puffed out chest and a highly held head.

You have seen the tears I cried over you, and you offered your own

in my river.

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However, no longer will you see me weak or witness my lip quiver.

You are the first guy I’ve dated who deserved my time,

We were wise, so all I have is happy thoughts and memories I’m

glad are mine.

Will I ever sit down with you again; will I be a part of your life?

I’ve never had a civil break up where the man was not in the wrong.

This relationship was so functional; at times I felt I didn’t belong.

If I learned one thing from you, it is that I deserve a Godly man

who will treat me right.

I’m not sure who or when that man will come, but I will save him a

seat on my flight.

-Cardinal

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Leftover Spaces

Must buy a dishwasher so

I have somewhere to put all my sweaters.

Somewhere clever, so I won't remember.

-Phoenix

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Vanisher of the Night

Substantial decay of a melodic dream

Hollowed caverns hellicious screams

Tiptoe, waterfall

Down, down, down, stream down

For where I go, tides low

For where I go, the darkness stands forth

Creature of the night

Night to the reach of an empty soul

Soul to the broken heart of a wanderer

There we were, cautious in our ways

Stranger in a dream, dreaming, oh I don't know

My mind was a race track among my thoughts

And within a blink of my cautious eye

The dark creature was a drifter amongst the mysterious air

A vanisher of the night, I fell

Down, down, down, stream down

Till I came to where the water is no more

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Upon a beautiful radiance in a land full of gloom

Why was I here? Where was I to go?

Look left to right, right to left

I thought maybe I understood it

But sense was oh so senseless here

My lungs hungry for air--I walked

Unknown, unridiculed, unjudged, wanderer of a dream

Passing spirits, counting sheep, dream state conscious

What choice was to be made here?

Heaviness caressed my body, preparing for my sweet embrace

The air was so tender, so beautiful

Coldness of the earth could not shock mere existence

To lie, dream a dream within a dream

Vanisher of the night

-Crow

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Femme

You question My

Authority—

Religiously—

I am not Your equal;

I am Your cocoon.

-H.

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Single Serving

All I can think and breathe

Is the sap slip sliding down in spirals from your mouth.

Hear it drop to the floor as it pools around our toes.

A forever to you is weeks in a vase

As the bees sip nectar out your pores.

- Yellow-Bellied-Sap-Sucker

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Just the Two of Us

Being a single parent is hard, with one it's bad, but two?

You work as much as your body allows, and pay the bills that are due.

You work two jobs, six days a week, and work more if you can,

Things fall apart; keep breaking down, the stove, the fridge, the fan.

You can't fix half of what you need, the money's just not there,

So you move on to other things and pretend you're unaware.

The kids come first, as it should be, the bills come next, then you,

You don't have time for friends or fun, or being weak or blue. When things go wrong, they look to you, they think you have the answer.

You must not cry, you must be strong, weakness is like a cancer.

You stand straight up and swear to fix it, and always do your best,

Give all you've got and so much more, and try to pass the test.

You don't have guests; you wouldn't dare to let anyone come in,

Your place is old and worn and hurt, like you, it just can't win.

You don't make plans without your kids, where you go, they go too,

Takes all you have to fill the tank, to do what you have to do.

At least you have a place to live and a way from here to there,

If your' kids weren't here you'd be alone, your love you couldn't share.

Life may seem hard, but worth it still, because you're blessed with love.

Your children are worth every step, they're sent from God above.

-Weaver Finch

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Strong Words

Strong words, strong minds,

World has little light left to shine.

We come, we go left unknown.

Great hearts, broken and outta time.

Stand against the test of life.

Beaten and shown,

Hidden, but still many holes,

Shine through with the Moon.

Quiet souls wander slow,

Looking for a new home,

No dreams quite of their own.

Lived great, died slow,

Gave reason to give a loud moan.

No eyes, they feel as they go.

Keep afloat, drifting toward

What they desire most—a heart.

Poor, little soul.

-Sharp Shinned Hawk

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Dovetail There is a field that slopes east from the kitchen door,

Down the field to a shallow creek. It was there when

My Great Grandfather and his Brother built

The eight room frame house in the Nineteenth century—

Same hill, same house today.

The day lilies growing by the road are new each summer.

I am eighty.

My mind thinks of itself as young,

My body reminds me there is a little less freedom.

No cartwheels.

No impulsive gardening.

No walks along the creek.

No walks even when the bluebells are in bloom.

No walks to the pond to watch for dragon-flies.

All the beauty that was furniture for my mind is

Stored in memories that grow less vivid.

I am stored, too, in a little house in town.

A nice little house, but somewhat like a storage box.

Schooling was the law.

Complaining was ignored.

One could not complain and be respected.

I couldn’t learn to read until

I memorized the words that went with

The pictures on each page of my Reader.

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I could see the pictures, but not letters.

I didn’t learn the names of many people in town.

I couldn’t see their faces.

Today I find it hard to learn names.

I am not quite inanimate,

Not folded neatly and tucked in a closet.

Much too unconventional to keep my opinions to myself.

But who wants to know?

There are no new victims to listen.

My family knows what I think;

The rest of the world seems caged in their points of view.

I want to warn them. This has happened before!

Down through history loud voices of the greedy have

Stolen and murdered their way to power.

We are trading off our common sense; we need common sense!

If we cannot see how valuable the poor, or children,

Or other nations are, the entire natural plan for

Mankind is defeated.

Nothing has true value unless it is used for Love.

All of existence began with an act of Creation.

Life is living.

Life is generous.

Selfishness is death.

–Mourning Dove

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Note to Reader: Mourning Dove is an Iowa native, born in 1932, during the Great Depression. The

farm house she was born in was built around 1904. The house remains in the family today—the title

in the name of Mourning Dove’s eldest daughter. Mourning Dove comes from a long line of American

Soldiers. Her Father’s brother fought in the First World War. Her father was enlisted, and sent to aid

in the recovery from the Great War. Her brother, William, joined an army band that was sent to Italy

during WWII but did not see battle. The women in the family were not so adventurous. Mourning

Dove spent most of her life in what she now refers to as “a sort of slavery” in which she was under

constant obligation to household chores and unpermitted to do much exploring. The freedom allowed

to her younger brother was cause for frustration. She explained to me that she did not know how,

then, to rebel. She did, however, brave some controversial reading by authors like Mark Twain. Her

rebellion skills have been sharpened over the years; refusal to surrender her car keys and repeated

threats to sneak away to the grocery store to stalk up on cookies and sweet-cakes are evidence of such

progress. She also has a surreptitious way of critiquing the amoral women of her granddaughter’s era.

-H.

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I Drink Coffee All Day

Shake me out the window, like your old boot mat.

Don't worry, I'll find my own dinner, just like a stray cat.

I wander along the streets like the leaves in the fall,

Are you wondering if, back to you, I will crawl?

Your mental state decreases, I dare to question.

Maybe you should get some help, I don't know, just a suggestion.

Tables will turn and you'll be the fish behind glass.

I don't think they have prescriptions for your disease, Jackass.

You've given me a gift, Santa calls them presents,

I'm so relieved to no longer suffocate in your presence.

You can't mold me; I'm not made out of clay.

I just want to drink coffee and play.

Read a book or write a hook

You can't touch, but you can look.

You won't ever push my button

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Since you changed your mind all the sudden.

Didn't want to work it out, just lash my back

and put me out. Social skills is what you lack.

Don't tell me to relax, I can't be conditioned,

Simply because I am beyond submission.

I bit your skin, it tasted vile,

How do I still stand and smile?

Your ignorance is my bliss,

Finally slipped away into the purple abyss.

Love lost is love gained.

Limbs free from lackluster chains.

This is just the end; you won't see the beginning,

Not until you’re down on your knees begging.

-Phoenix

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We Are

We are strong, more than most know.

We are independent and are the world's backbone.

We are fierce and confident.

We are caretakers and healers.

We have our hearts broke easily,

Hoping the right one will ease the pain.

We give the meaning to life;

We watch and feel as the children of the world grow within us.

We bring forth a miracle that no man could understand

The true meaning of child bearing.

We are like a flower that

Some get cut down

And taken home

And never get to grow

Free and Will no more

We are tender, firm, sweet and loving.

We stand strong when we are called upon.

-Sharp Shinned Hawk

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Free Rein I

From the corners of her womb

A tiny little creature Spinning cartwheels in the dark

Like a water-wheel Impulse’s crackling spark—

With this—the wheels turn

From ashes to the yearning

Lingering relentless shadows

Lightning in the clouds—

Pray for this connection

Wormwood in her walls

Without the blood that follows

Her woes still spell the name—

He asks, Are you not Woman?

She sighs, The very same…

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Repetition

I am many pieces to a puzzle, don't be confused by the

double sided mystique. Over pick, pecking like a chicken,

but the pile is too deep. (Your) problem is you're only

looking with your eyes—quickest way to glimpse a lie.

Unfinished, it isn't just about business, the tick-tocking in

your ears, as time repeats itself. I'm tired of repeating

myself, flip the switch to the recorder and paint my words

with the tunes. Unknown elation from a song which

appears sad, rejoicing that which frolics in the moon.

-Phoenix

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Deception

Beguiling while we

Stretch our bent—

Appendages.

Call me your Decepticon.

In Labyrinths like—

Sporadic Innovation.

Smiling through my maquillage—

Consume the rat I am

The cage—

Whose rage contained

Within my claws?

You wouldn’t understand what

Isn’t for you—

The blows would break

The bow.

-H.

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Smog

Fade behind a mask, is it a dream or hallucination?

What is it to really know another person,

The inner workings of the mind?

A facade, ever changing. Never knowing.

A whole new resolution,

I am sick from your pollution.

-Phoenix

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Black Cat Swag

Cats—

Do not

Travel in packs.

I am that—

Shadow approaching—

black—cat—swag.

Your holster is empty.

Boy, you haven’t got the knack.

Dust-storm and i’m counting

You—

Like a grain of sand.

Before you spin around

All you hear is my boots clap.

Echo the Sound—her whisper

whistling

pow.

pow.

meow.

-H.

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Beyond Avail

You can't know, not ever smelling.

Moving forward, you need no feet to go.

Screaming, yelling, voices soar into never hearing ears.

Whisper to a soul—spoken at max capacity—energy

Without control.

-Phoenix

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Poetic Rebuttals

Hummingbird: No denying; a woman from her maquillage, there

is no prying. *)

Phoenix: I cling like static upon the pry. Save the make-up for when I die. #)

Blue Jay: Your face is terrorism to my heart.

Hummingbird: This place, I saw, through fair doors—you,

Casting prisms from the dark.

Hummingbird: We’re riding the wave lengths the rest of the world fears.

(soul-surfers)

Phoenix: Beware of the sharks whom swim in shallow waters.

(Good thing my arms are detachable)

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Arsenal

Trapped within thoughts, lost in a field of mine.

Watching steps because you've lost your sight of dog.

Flashes of whether, to shore to sea, all while you're busy

blinking.

Locked in your mind you've missed all the signs,

Not so much as an inkling.

-Phoenix

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Re: Arsenal

Don't blow up on me; my steps are serpentine and fluid.

I sing in sorrow, prayers—calling the one who masters me

Home—her echoes over static death that lingers in the fog.

Lead me, blind eyes—ears adhere to the sound of in-sight cries.

Light burn the night sky, electric impulse of your nerve,

Dare to ask—why?

Paint stretching the canvas—your mind, like water—wide,

Tears—hope or frustration, the choice—only touched by God,

Pulled the tremor from me, and the friction broke the dawn.

-H.

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Crown Moulding

Your spine is showing, but it isn't strength. My motions

are worn smooth from the sand-paper pressure of your

teenage angst. Nearly three quarters of a century gone by.

When did the world become a slip n slide? Water running

down the earth, but no one notices the sticks protruding

from the mud. Hardened into clay by the heat of the

sun’s kiln. That which is bitter was once the nectar of

something sweeter.

- Yellow-Bellied-Sap-Sucker

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Life on the Fence

All my life I have sat upon this fence.

I stand, and walk, to practice my agility

When those two crowds come collecting.

My left leg extends parallel to the picket-line.

I am like a dancer now—

Branching out as if the planks I trot along weren’t

Dead.

My back faces them, whichever way I turn.

With sandalwood for fingers, I brush them smooth

Like fluid to a stone.

What they do not do for me—

Will not—or—Can not

I turn to the other—in constant fluctuation.

Here the Haves—Hear the Have-Nots

I calculate their atoms; I find the same old densities.

Equality—Pisces, Libra, Gemini

I am Sagittarius in the sky.

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I am no static merchandise.

Like wave-lengths—I walk serpentine and wide,

Twirling down the aisle on blades of wood.

In feather-weighted feet I dodge their bullets,

Trying to play mediator—they only see the median.

As my fence grows higher, I dig, and dig—

I dig! I dig! I dig! I dig!

And try to recompense—redundant are the tracks.

Rhythm of the Railway—Alas!

This is where I blossom; this is where I want.

I pray here—the pastures—my referendum.

I vote to break the wall.

There are far too many flags, and too much pride.

I remember green and here our feet—

Have trampled it to mud.

-H.

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1 Month, 3 Years, and 1 Day

You've heard about time zones—this is my line.

It doesn't really pass, no, not really.

Journey continues, perhaps doomed to repeat.

Refuse to look past the negative effects of reality.

Harsh as a cigarette to my throat,

In designs, the smoke appears a beauty most humane.

Assumptions of knowledge, a feeling, as I do not see.

Looking glass or mirror—it's all tricks to me.

Getting paid to satisfy another, left pruney with disdain.

If you want to get some—love someone.

Independently, accepting without expectation.

Forgiving without dismissing.

Alternating persona, a transferring face

Upon a detachable body.

Unzipped skin thrown in cycle, rinsin’.

-Phoenix

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Re: 1 Month, 3 Years, and 1 Day

Smoke and Mirrors, yes.

Playing on my fears, but I take

Good advice and digress.

Loving every element,

Each atom, as a child.

Existence, mad.

Vanity is Fair in Love and War.

But the Power of the Poet is in

Her endless stretch of wardrobe.

-H.

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Swollen

Heavy is the heart that's bursting with sighs.

Captivated by a soul, searching through hungry eyes.

Pry it open, what's inside?

Trapped within, there's nowhere to hide.

To be educated, one must be motivated.

Yet all we do is keep them sedated.

-Phoenix

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Don’t Ask Questions

It’s like when you’re young and your parents tell you,

“Because I said so.”

Right away—we’re trained not to question authority.

They do not want resistance. They want to mold us.

We are discouraged from asking questions—

“That’s just the way it is.”

“Because I’m the boss.”

“Don’t worry about it.”

It’s different to hear these things from our parents.

For the most part—our parents Love US.

Our governments did not give birth to US.

They are borne of us—en masse.

-Lyrebird

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Numbers Moving Within a Line

Maybe I could say maybe all night.

Gaze, lie, and smirk in time.

Bound in leather, screwed too tight.

The lonely hunter purrs in rhyme.

Life you can evade, but death you shall not.

-Phoenix

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Vendetta

Osama Bin Laden is dead—

I heard it on the News.

One man’s life is taken to avenge

Three thousand innocent lives, and

Every Soldier sacrificed,

Civilians—

Tell me, Captain and Lieutenant,

Are you satisfied?

There are

Eleven thousand homeless

Children in this state—alone.

-Lyrebird

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Junior High

If life is all about taking time then why does it rush by so

fast? Try being 11 and going into middle school.

Everything changes. It’s hard to tell who your real friends

are. It’s like being lost in a jungle surrounded by wild

tigers (teenagers). It’s especially hard with boys. They

should be grateful considering girls are the ones who

brought humans to existence! But, as we see teenagers we

think, why is a needle being stuck into your skin cool?

Why is filling your lungs with smoke cool? All of these

questions start with why! Our parents can warn us and

protect us with words but really, is it our choice to make

these decisions? Growing up is never easy with the shadow

of temptation always behind us!

-Chickadee

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Man of my Dreams,

Where have you been? Almost 6 years since I’ve seen you last. Things have

changed. Changed in good ways. Changed in ways that I know you’d be proud of.

I miss you more than I could ever express in words. I’ve needed you. She is 11

now, and smarter than most children. She is beautiful. I wish you could see. He

is almost 2. He is a curious child full of wonders. Looking into his face always

brings a smile bigger than life. I know we’ve had our disagreements, but you’ve

broke my heart. All the cruel words you’ve allowed to be spoken, all those times

you neglected to be my advocate. You’ve broken my heart. I’ve felt your love in

big ways. We use to laugh, and you were my best friend. You were always my

hero. You are tall, dark and handsome. You are the hardest worker I know, and

that hasn’t changed. Your quick wit was the best, and the laughter we shared is

unparalleled to any laughs I’ve had since. None of that seems to matter now

though, because you’ve broken my heart. I want things to be different, but it’s

almost too late. I want you to be stronger, but you’re never going to be. I want

you stand up for me, guide me, and do right by me. I want you to stand up for

what’s right and not what’s convenient. But mostly I want to feel like you love

me and care. I know you do, but I don’t feel it anymore. I feel like you are

disappointed and sad. Like you are a victim, but you’re not. You have allowed

an outsider to draw your lines in the sand. But I don’t want to fight anymore; I

lower my flag and bow. You can have the best of both, but I am still waiting.

You are now the ring leader and you won’t allow it to stop. I would love for you

to say, I will see you soon—but I also know this won’t happen. Please help me,

please love me, and please care. I love you dad, and I hope soon you won’t just be

the man of my dreams but here when I’m awake. -Great Blue Heron

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Arithmetic

What is it then—that divides us?

Color, Class, Religion—no.

The chasm is

Lack of Compassion.

Egocentrism and Greed.

I look on strangers—and

I love them.

My Travel Companions.

Builders of the Pyramids,

The Serpent changes skins.

-Lyrebird

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Untitled

I am a writer,

It is what I do,

Have I written anything

Of importance to you?

Perhaps you say no,

I really don’t care,

Drag a rusted old comb

Through my matted old hair.

I wonder where I am going,

Wonder where the fuck I’ve been.

Does any of it even matter?

I wish you could have seen;

The pain behind my eyes,

The sorrow behind my smile.

For you I’d give it up,

I would have traveled miles.

Instead you were the one who traveled,

To a foreign place and land,

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To fuck an Asian Prostitute

And kill my soul with the touch of your hand.

But whatever, fuck it

I’ll pretend I don’t care

While you run in the breeze

With your stupid fucking hair.

I feel a dead spot inside me,

And it’s starting to grow,

I’ll grow old and afraid

To let my real feelings show.

I hope you’ll always know,

No matter how bad things may get,

That I loved you the most

And have only one regret;

That our love was not strong enough

To transcend through time and space,

To that certain time when we had it,

To that certain lingering place

Where only we existed,

Where only our hopes and dreams collide

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I hope the pain will leave me,

I hope the heartache will subside.

I loved you the most

And I probably always will

Is this what I wanted?

Is it really worth the thrill?

So here I sit alone

Drinking in this lonely place.

I hope that one day I’ll see

That beautiful smile on your face.

-Nightingale

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Forward Motion

I have bad habits, but I'm not rabid.

The past has passed; there is no place to dwell there.

I don't look back to avoid getting whiplash.

-Phoenix

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Realizations

I feel the momentum building, winding inside of me. The horoscope

stares straight through to my soul from the computer screen. Do

something now, it says. Whoa, I think. That’s intense. It isn’t loud, or

screaming in my face, in fact it is quiet unthreatening. I could easily click

out of my email and read the next one never giving second thought to it.

But because I am asking for an answer, one comes falling into my lap.

I choke back a slight gasp. I am not sure exactly what it means, only

that it does. My unknown messenger is right. About everything. How does

it know me? I stare at the screen more, asking it quietly what to do.

“What is it that you want me to do? Do I keep this baby, breaking

old patterns and move forward? Do I become the mother and wife of this

home? Do I consider the once unthinkable option for a fourth time in my

quest to be an artist? I already have two children, what does it matter?”

Again, the screen remains quiet and unchanging. The cursor

blinking back into the depths of my being. It’s so evidently there, but I just

can’t quite reach it. Frustrated brilliance, my mind is torturing me. I fall to

my knees, looking up at the ceiling next to the fireplace in his living room.

If the computer will not tell me its purpose, perhaps the one they call God

will remove the veil from my eyes.

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“God, I need a sign. Right now. The computer told me to do

something now, so which thing do I do? Do I stay and have this baby? Do

I run? I could go visit my sister in Hawaii, travel to California this summer

and continue to chase my dreams. But don’t I have to change that old

pattern? How can I change something that just feels so right to me?”

I open my eyes, and to my absolute astonishment, nothing has changed.

The house, including the ceiling are still intact. No clouds or lightning

bolts, no chariot of fire. I promptly with a, “humph!” sit down on the

white rug. My back is warm from the fire; I look at my cup of coffee now

the perfect temperature for consumption, and move my eyes from the cup

to the laptop. Nothing different, just the three simple ordinary words.

DO SOMETHING NOW.

And then, completely out of nowhere, it comes. Like a runaway

train, no brakes. No subtle quietness anymore. I frantically look for my

pen, my notebook, anything! I could type. I am staring at a computer

screen after all. I need to write this down, I need to be able to express how

this moment feels. Pick apart my thought process in these moments of

massive insight. Or as I call them madness.

I can see the forest for the trees. I understand that it doesn’t matter.

It’s not a question of whether I stay, or go. It’s not a flight or fight. It

sounds so oddly comforting, flight. Run. Get out before you get hurt. Or

fight, stay and fight off the consequences of not flying when you had the

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chance. But what if I didn’t have to do either? Yes, it’s so clear to me.

Don’t fight, or fly, just be. And where can you be? In your thoughts. Your

day to day realizations of life’s important lessons. Embrace them. Be in

them. Write them down. And that’s doing something. It may not be

paying the bills, or moving into my boyfriend’s house. It’s not something

that will change the course of my life, give me a direction, or quiet the

maddening moments of what-ifs. It’s just writing it down simply for the

fact that maybe someone will understand. Someone has been here, begging

the almighty for an answer when it’s just staring quietly, waiting for you to

receive and process it at lightning speed, leaving you feeling a bit

whirlwindish and crazy, but at complete and utmost peace.

-Nightingale

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If My Life Were an Open Book

I see

You—

Walking with your head down.

Do not focus so much energy

On the foot-notes.

This Story is Magnificent

And has been—

Written for You

To learn

As you go along—

Look up—instead

In the far corners

When You

Forget

How far

You’ve come—

The pages will grow thinner.

Smile once before

The Moments

Gone.

-H.

51

LOST reception

Can't you see it with your antenna?

Did you try plugging it in?

You have to push that button over here,

but you have to flip this switch first.

Also, if you didn't start with the antenna down

then you have to go back to the beginning.

-Phoenix

52

The Redemption of Amy Levy

Easy you

Could fake a smile

The Levy breaking

All the while

Dark—

Waters of your eyes

That raged

Came to a fall

At the Crossroads

Sunday.

Bronte would have fought the dark clouds

Cowardless fists swooping down

Snatching you up with her

Alien claws of scorn

In that Old House

Were you

Who

Died to be

Reborn?

-H.

53

Open Windows

Deep in shadow, I feed the light.

Embers awarded with kerosene,

A thirst that will not cease

Mirrors a flame which cannot burn.

Laughing, flaunting my childish delight.

Exposing a hungry mind eager to learn.

-Phoenix

54

Free Rein II

This—

He also sighed,

This shall be your birth-right—

But, Father, have I strength—

To fold before the climb?

Daughter—you are woman,

Born to bear a life

The universe within

Sisters’ laps will widen

Your prosperity

Will instead come from

The pulsing in your palms

This—is where you bear your scars

Here and in your chest—

Fathomless—

Your bosom wrought, compressed

Here the welcomed pressure

From my fists’ investments…

55

Pair of Lies

Parasites left me paralyzed,

IV drip, drift in paradise.

Lost in a paradox

Overcome with paranoia.

Awaken Paramount.

-Phoenix

56

Orb Weaver

Parallel we placed our palms—

In parting of our psalms.

Perpendicular the planes—

Corridors unlocked by name.

Weaver of the Orb,

Forever 8 legs extend,

The bowsprit broke the wall—

Electric Consonance

Her—

Liquid confidence.

Behind the looking glass,

To hear my Mother weep

Could cause a God

To grieve.

I—so like her—heavy

Had it weighed on me

The Question—

And

Would I

Have her wait?

Had I a choice?

Were there not

Evidence enough within

The trailings of my voice?

57

The Cat Who Could

Creating Universes

Stood—

Foolproof in the folly

Of those very Verses.

-H.

58

CDL

Traveling Gypsy, I travel to you.

Trading treats for tricks—see,

They don't know what I view.

Dust of a Pixie, hair off the dog,

We've all got addictions—mine is a choice.

-Birddog

59

Take It Slow

Life puts us on a scale from 1 to 100. And it’s our job to

climb this scale as time goes by. As some of us skyrocket

to the top others stay behind and conquer one thing at a

time. The universe gives you a limited amount of chances

in life. And it gives you a certain amount of time in life to

take these chances! We should learn to be patient and

independent but others seem to grow more demanding

and always having life rush by! When your only 11 like

me, it’s hard for you to realize how fast your childhood

can be taken away from you! The earth is also a powerful

place controlled by time.

-Chickadee

60

Ingenuity

The Poet Loves

The Engineer.

He Reads Her

Recorded Dreams

And Builds Her Fortresses.

-H.

61

Children Are Not An Experiment

Some are smooth, some have ridges.

There are those that groove, full of grains,

What precious riches.

Herbs dance amongst the earth children,

Swirled in sauce.

Drunken noodle.

-Phoenix

62

Dinner Special

Her blood is seasoned with

The salt of the Pacific.

Ribs caged by the Rind,

Ageless in her Prime.

This cut from the Incline.

Metaphor—her Medium,

Tender—yes—and Rare!

Guests here do not Order her,

Their wallets wouldn’t Dare!

-H.

63

Tall Glass of Water. 100% Natural

Juicy, I knew you didn't need a restraint.

Like your painted eye you are unique to the world.

Your soul will live forever in history as the brightest

Marble known to cheese.

You cheesed me but I tamed

The magical two toned beast.

So cheese that JB.

-Birddog

64

St. Patty

Think green.

Letchya shoulders lean. I’m an Irish lass, so kiss me.

Weaving gold—a spell you can’t grab hold,

The colors break the crust—the fault lies in the thrust,

Boulders kicking up—black boots laced and leather gloves.

Fists stained red with scars and mud—ruler of the pub.

Heavy was my heart—blinding was my laughter.

I pushed through the muck—from home

To here on after—freedom stride and

Strength—run through my

Byrnin’ Blood.

-H.

65

Energy (is speaking)

In a world of ignorance the mind steps forward.

Shaking it's head, hung low, in defeat.

It boils over seeking comfort, for knowledge, for retreat.

Days spent gathering breath, to achieve balance—

remaining assertive and aware.

It is not acceptable to eat off someone else's plate without

a proper invitation.

-Phoenix

66

Free Rein III

Dreamer

You are wild—

Rebel mustang

Untied cut-throat reigns

Hoof prints in the earth

Align your toes with mine

This madness—

From flesh to

Formless rapture—

Devine.

-Hummingbird

67

Letter From Editor to Editor:

Phoe: Under Construction

R*w.o.w. Production

Vanity creating Serenity

Hum: Ah, that’s just me—walking along

The beams—drilling shrill coiled bullets,

Spin heads till they scream like

Chrystal glass—my claws are longer than

The frail arms of the laws

You and I—borne to edify,

Brave the tracks lain where

Their testimonies lack.

Ah, and with the power,

Eyes rapid, rolling forward and back.

Some beg to hang the Gypsy—

But, it’s bad luck to kill a Cat.

Phoe: We walk the lines—doing no wrong

Leading us to our salvation, point to point.

Burning in the sun, the Phoenix laments its song.

Pouring upon your brow, sliding into your mouth,

Washing away a bitter taste, but you taste nothing now.

68

Stay tuned till July! Editors:

Hummingbird

Phoenix

Nightingale

The Psalm Birds:

Phoenix

Hummingbird

Nightingale

Great Blue Heron

Mourning Dove

Weaver Finch

Chickadee

Cardinal

Crow

Blue Jay

Ruddy Turnstone

Sharp Shinned Hawk psalmbirdsociety@gmail.com

www.facebook.com/psalm.birdsociety

Thank you!