.jpg)
TWO INNOCENTS WITH EXPERIENCE (2000)
All desire. No forgiveness.
Years later it was early spring with red-winged blackbird,
Goldfinch, faithful Canada goose on the trail
And return of the tree swallows.
“The tree swallow glides in circles,
Ending each glide
With 3 or 4 quick flaps
And a short climb.”*
Then I remembered.
He was sitting close to me.
Mr. Solitary Crow skipped by us like a child.
We laughed until we were children again.
This was how I experienced love.
I was innocent of forgiveness.
* from A Field Guide to Western Birds, second edition, 1961, by Roger Tory Peterson, p. 159.
("People Listening" (1984) and "Two Innocents with Experience" (2000), by Old Girl Of The North Country)
When I looked out at Scudder Pond yesterday afternoon, the tree swallows were flying back and forth in the sunlight above the golden cattails.
