*

*

The eagle holds lightning in its talons

Pointed shadow on bare earth

Eyes pierce the distance

Splits sky to rolling river

Beak breaks bones

*

Tail of feathers rusty red

She is the hawk,

Speckled breast white and brown

She wears the queen’s crown

Her throne the tallest pine

*

The sentinel jay of blue

Ornery as a pincushion

Testifying in the woods

Always first in line

Color proud, oh so loud

*

Miss Nuthatch comes knocking

Upside-down grayling

In her Sunday best

Black cap, white bib,

Used to be a nun

*

Fussy chickadee

Jaunty black beret

Speaks French with its mouth full

Complains to the chef

Too much millet, more peanuts!