Goldfinch

more than a jewel,
yellow streak
on tawny wings

world of gold
what are you taking hold of
inside me

you have captured us
I and
the yellow starflower

pulled into the power of your dance
while you sit motionless
radiant
on the tip of a branch

the zebra swallowtail
lifts its translucent wings
towards you
as if to the noon sun

and my soul, no longer soiled
spills out its true color

yellow, not adorned
but born, like you
pure native light

and flying,
even at rest