HUMMINGBIRD
Rarely pausing
Though I have seen
It stop the flutter
Of its amazing
Wings and perch
Nearly invisible
On a wire against
The evening sky —
And be sighted —
And being very
Still, be thought
Of as not there
LOSS
Put no trust in nothing, not even yourself
Yesterday was like summer, today snow blows
I’ve walked six miles with an axe and wedge
Actually make my living near a river running bright water
Home to a small hawk found mangled in the woodshed
Eyes opening, I load my rifle but won’t use it
Instead talk with the closest thing to me right now
Heavy gloves moving back short feathers
The break in its neck, claws no use, eyes closing
from Where Rivers Meet, Bob Arnold
photo © bob arnold
