The Praise of Birds
(Original Version)
Can’t get enough of it ever--the flight
of birds. I love their navigation: precise
as mathematics, their gyroscope-intricate
lift-and-return. They’re wild to bet
it all in this older than thee-and-thou ballet.
Again and again: the of joy of assay.
As though one mind had many hands,
they sculpt the air, slice away with abandon
leaving what can only be a rubble
of light and air in their wake. I’d double
down too, if I could play this subtraction
game: quick wit, quicker reaction, piston-
push, hairpin-turn, crossing vectors. Blur.
For a moment it all seems to blend, whirl.
What is air? What bird? Oh this rais-
ing of body, loosing of spirit is praise,
soaring praise.
The Praise of Birds
(Re(En)Visioned)
Can’t get enough of
(ever).
It’s their flight I love.
Their navigation
as mathematics,
their gyroscope intricate --
They’re wild to bet all
in this older
thee-and-thou
ballet. Again and again:
joy of assay
as though one mind
had hands, they sculpt
they slice. Away!
With abandon!
What can only be
rubble of light,
air in their wake: double.
Down too!
If I could play this game:
quick wit, quicker
piston-push,
hairpin-turn,
vectors,
blur . . .
For a
It all seems
to whirl, what is
air? bird? Oh
this raising body,
loosing spirit:
praise!
Soaring praise!
desolated harbors, amputated silence.
© 2020 Paula Schulz
Paula Schulz loves a prompt and the challenge of working on ekphrastic projects. She lives and writes in Slinger, Wisconsin with her husband, Greg.
30 for 30 is sponsored by Potomac Review
