The Alaska State Writing Consortium
Northern Lit - ASWC's eZine

Red Poll Communion

By M. Louise Richards

red poll feeder

Dart---
Swoosh---
Streaks in bursts---
Valiant attempts
to stay warm
this
frigid
February
morn.

Where do you come from?

What impels you?

I am in sheer awe
of your adaciousness.

You thrive in community.

I envy
your vibrant strokes
against
stark
canvass
of Alaskan winter.

In my gaze
you become
felt mystery:
startling
moments
penetrating
conscience.

Flitting against
faint hues
of sky,
refracting glints,
impervious to time,
become
luminating
beams
for
fragile snow prisms.

Now
you are
grace
and resolve
at inflexible
daybreak.

Ruptures by
Such radical
miracles
makes
born day
rapturous.