by Douglas Lanzo
Copyright 2023

First published in Clayjar Review Issue #7 (March 21, 2024)

A flurry of colors
feather songs through the air —
melodious whistles
and trills ring out with flair.

Deep indigo buntings
and yellow-breasted chats,
cross emerald hummingbirds
flashing faster than bats.

Startling purple finches,
red-tailed hawks circle near,
surveying canopies,
their screams ringing in fear.

A flurry of colors
scatter under thick brush,
seeking to camouflage
amid brown-speckled thrush.

The hawks chase high currents,
their wings soaring away,
restoring to treetops
sweet songs warming the day.