White-blue Bird By

Trickle and sigh
flew a white-blue bird by
to crouch
‘pon an acorn oak tree.

The wetness of weathers
fell like dew from his feathers,
he creaked
with a crying croak-cree.

Fog in my eyes
blurred the reams of the skies
and the dawn dared to die
a dream.

So a pencil I picked,
and determined I flicked,
knitting memory
from the dreams silky seams.

But my head slow to lift,
turned my heart to a twist
as the bird and its scene
were gone.

Itchy led etchings
and clumsy word meshings
I chose o’er
the blue-bird’s song.

But the finch in his kindness
returned to me,
this time I nought but watched
in temporal ecstasy.

Written by: Marine Graaff

(Painting: ‘Maple Tree and Small Birds’ – Ito Jakuchu)