Member Poem

Sugared water glistens in the feeder on my outstretched hand
like the torch of the green queen of the bay
beckoning, welcoming travelers
who have whirred their way from Mexico to our redwood forest.

An iridescent streamer dips from the tip of a tree.
The brave scout hovers three inches from my eye,
his sword drawn, his scarlet throat flashing,
his buzz a chainsaw aimed at my pupil.
We stare unblinking, gauging each other's intentions
before he scoops up back to his perch, yoyo on a string.

I wait. Dream myself to nothing.
He buys it, zips back to me, perches on the plastic ring,
threads his tongue down the tiny well.
A dozen Annas follow, hover in a wreath around the cornfield of my hair
before they scramble for position,
flashing red and green in a frantic traffic jam.

Jabbing and squealing, orange and brown-tailed competitors zoom in.
Their battles whirl a shadow dance on the deck's wall.
The bombarded ones sprout unruly waves
cresting on the back of their necks.

Two make peace, share drinks at the spout.
A soft spotted belly brushes my thumb.
Paper-thin feet land on my skin
as my heart explodes in quivering feathers.