feeding the birds

surely a benevolent hand opens to us,

i think, as i pour black sunflower seeds--shimmering
mounds to overflowing--for the jays while juncos
dance around my feet for spills

this hummingbird also knows there is enough
and then some, so much that i catch a glimpse of
even her at rest

flash of squirrel-tail, tree chatter as i move
into a clearing watched by three deer
efficiency of motion, distilled

for any of us could go bounding off at any moment
but instead i look back at them, concentrating my eyes
with as much calm and St. Francis as i can muster

before we all go about our grazing on these
same hills, storing up in all the ways we can
a share's worth for

our wintry world

ls 11.22.17