Black Pheasant

WE WERE SURPRISED WHEN WE FOUND IT
THE CARBONIZED REMAINS OF THE PHEASANT
THE FIRE HAD BEEN INTENSE
BUT SHORT LIVED
CREATED BY THE STORM
EXTINGUISHED BY THE STORM
BUT THE INTERIM HAD BEEN EXTREME
FED BY THE DEBRIS OF THE DROUGHT

SO REAL
IT LOOK LIFELIKE
EXCEPT FOR THE COLOR
IT LOOKED ASLEEP

BUT WHEN WE KNELT TO TOUCH IT
IT FELL APART
AND FOUR CHICKS
RAN OUT FROM UNDER

PERHAPS
BECAUSE
WE HAD SEEN ENOUGH OF DEATH THAT DAY
WE WERE MOVED TO TEARS

SHE COULD HAVE FLOWN
SHE COULD HAVE SAVED HERSELF
SHE STAYED
GATHERED HER BROOD
UNDER HER WINGS
AND BROUGHT THEM THROUGH THE FIRE

WE GATHERED THE CHICKS
THEY WOULD SURVIVE

REST WELL MOTHER

YOU HAVE TAUGHT US
WELL

FRANK A VOLLMER