her eyes; the deep water
        orange of topaz hold,
broad wings
       cross tender breast,
tail feathers cock surely
       as she leaps
       bounces,
       glides,
tongues her message
to  cowering beasties,
alights on branch
       of naked persimmon,
hunches into noble pose
self appointed,
feather fur fluffs
       on  legs joined
       to black talons
       set to hold.

© Carlton Godbold 1987

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