tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-251065042012-01-31T07:29:56.724-05:00Poems and photos--digging deep towards beauty--not afraid of truth!firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.comBlogger4231100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-32935310451015368682012-01-25T22:13:00.001-05:002012-01-25T22:13:18.999-05:00

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-70123938299253904502012-01-25T22:06:00.021-05:002012-01-27T09:28:11.763-05:00

It was Jupiter's eye that pierced you, finally that blue spark, with a strand of pale moon pinned in the sky like the last defiant ice in a melting sea and I lay down unseen watching your heart drink in this blue-white fire, a splinter of gold, the blazing hush of night sky gifts to break you open I know how long to wait before I brush an orange cloud against your throat and touch you with

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-86527172482230046442012-01-03T22:03:00.001-05:002012-01-03T22:03:00.594-05:00

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-48463588765163887502012-01-03T21:52:00.006-05:002012-01-03T22:23:15.401-05:00

I asked God-- please tell me where do I stand with you? He said THAT is an impertinent question! YOU DO NOT STAND-- you tiny insignificant speck of an animal BUT if my whole heart could fit inside you my dear one, you would be my whole heart...

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-18840424279128574242011-11-27T21:39:00.000-05:002011-11-27T21:39:31.175-05:00

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-61181696155707698572011-11-27T21:26:00.005-05:002011-12-02T23:22:14.325-05:00

Ilinza, spirit of the mountain stream show me, bright one how you can sing and laugh while those rough stones cut your belly is it because you do not love? Ilinza, silken, yielding open to all who enter why do you not bleed when your lover kneels, drinks his fill and walks away if I were in your body, something would break, Ilinza there would be water flowing a glint from wet eyes a crack

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-48004873714804673722011-09-25T19:48:00.003-04:002011-09-25T19:52:56.350-04:00

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-64338189263217725652011-09-25T19:46:00.004-04:002011-10-17T22:31:31.983-04:00

Breathe for me, he said I sent you into this world to be my body Breathe, as if I were the sweet air moving through you breathe, at each first light when you wake as if reborn build your world again out of my love breathe me in fill yourself slowly keep me inside you forever and breathe out we will be the first move your body makes and then the next breathe for me, give me joy let

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-87178339551172813232011-08-19T16:49:00.001-04:002011-08-19T16:49:46.482-04:00

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-35884596497402717232011-08-19T16:49:00.000-04:002011-08-19T16:49:35.536-04:00

my hummingbird wondrously made shape of smooth almond, cleansed in spit feathers blown on sleek coat of down glitters as you fly from flower to flower I took aim at a board, once-- the dart flew crooked from my hand and missed but you, hummingbird, move so swift as if the very thought of flight shoots you true you say, "no, you are wrong-- my grace is an illusion" this hydraulic sinewed

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-65124623884651601432011-08-06T22:15:00.000-04:002011-08-06T22:15:27.857-04:00

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-90308699185733796252011-08-06T22:09:00.001-04:002011-08-07T22:14:13.752-04:00

last year all my flowers bloomed too late for the butterflies in fall I mowed the butterfly bushes to the ground erasing the stems over the roots hesitating in winter this year the butterflies and flowers dance together not that I asked but love made a wind of its own

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-89359837122244178862011-07-27T00:20:00.002-04:002011-07-27T00:21:03.333-04:00

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-44223680476976522972011-07-27T00:19:00.000-04:002011-07-27T00:19:39.010-04:00

thunder are you speaking to me whispering like a restless elephant unsettling rocks in the dark hills ask them now, your trembling stones who is their master and whose caressing voice pins my throat to the earth ask them who, from high above do they see circling like a great cat in the darkness will my heart take notice thunder are you calling me

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-22084016718936248742011-07-16T10:55:00.001-04:002011-07-16T10:55:00.047-04:00

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-11909136472898839502011-07-16T10:53:00.000-04:002011-07-16T10:53:34.449-04:00

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

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-35338697795391548542011-07-02T17:14:00.000-04:002011-07-02T17:14:36.722-04:00

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-48533091288382301912011-07-02T16:51:00.004-04:002011-07-02T17:18:21.783-04:00

love, you have my everything for this moment only Paradise, you know must be lured like a bird to one’s heart in stealth and stillness, while its tiny feet move closer until finally its feathers brush against you and the murmur of its pulse ripples your chest not even daring to breathe you hold your stalker’s pose flooded by a sudden hurricane of joy afraid the brief wind of your

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-18709429394181547472011-06-25T11:16:00.000-04:002011-06-25T11:16:20.182-04:00

this little guy was sleeping on top of my shed--in NYC!...

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-13537163050750773342011-06-25T11:11:00.004-04:002011-06-25T11:18:49.882-04:00

hold me in the heat of your hand until I ripen hold me always while your time that is not time pulls fragrance through my skin hold me, tenderly as my sweet flesh splits and my restless seeds loosen and fall hold me as they scatter slipping like stars between your fingers hold me while my dry body folds into itself, slowly, softly hold me, still until I am nothing and the night shines

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-59446042954458316002011-05-28T02:31:00.001-04:002011-05-28T02:31:18.434-04:00

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-68984567538684691512011-05-28T02:24:00.000-04:002011-05-28T02:24:22.968-04:00

“you are perfection,” says the wind pulling my leaves into a ragged knot sometimes gently, sometimes with a gust that shakes my roots from the ground and where is my force to push against you should I want to you made me tall and whip-like to bend, flatten, arch, and spring back throwing my very top from sky to sky and what is my form but you rearranging my twigs to more quietly pass through

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-76947061819589641292011-05-11T22:29:00.000-04:002011-05-13T16:33:13.505-04:00

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-69120856596807887942011-05-11T02:47:00.001-04:002011-07-02T03:05:45.691-04:00

there’s a lot of love in this letter find it it’s here in the paper feel it as you run your fingers across the whiteness rip into it with your fingernails do the edges ravel will it come apart with water sweat, or spit the only things you have left does it taste like love is there a scent an essence speak to it tell it to melt, to bleed for you it is only paper trust me there is love here

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-78950222368819678922011-04-30T00:34:00.002-04:002011-04-30T00:34:33.179-04:00

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-46258310103738693652011-04-30T00:31:00.000-04:002011-04-30T00:31:39.856-04:00

Love. what else would there be? but what love do I seek? love that tears me apart like the wind rips the soft seeds out of the thistle— that lifts me, pierces me with raindrops, drags me down into the soil—all for love— love that is a red jewel in a bed of coals, that says “come close, soon you will require more than warmth, you will melt and burn as I do” love that peels a sweet orange for

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-417452656074427672011-04-24T00:13:00.000-04:002011-04-24T00:13:40.255-04:00

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-76925863665368557652011-04-24T00:09:00.005-04:002011-04-24T00:17:12.445-04:00

There is no why, there is only the seeking— as when I encounter a perfect flower, I fall into it— not simply because it is beautiful, but from the heartache of hearing the flower singing my very own song, or the closest thing I have found to my song, and so I want to fall into my love which now has the perfect face of a flower there is only the seeking— as when suddenly a cloud’s frosty edge

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-29307341837889782402011-04-13T22:09:00.002-04:002011-04-13T22:09:56.758-04:00

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-39542772069515573812011-04-13T21:58:00.001-04:002011-04-13T22:38:13.002-04:00

tell me troubled water is the sweetest tell me every time the smooth earth under me gives way suddenly to air when my cry bursts out from the jagged rocks like a roar when I am trapped breathless between earth and sky when my shattered body falls tell me troubled water is the sweetest tell me it was my desire to fly

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-67330531541286875922011-04-05T13:19:00.002-04:002011-04-05T13:19:52.126-04:00

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-2498922164117572952011-04-05T13:07:00.033-04:002011-04-24T00:19:16.427-04:00

Spring, don't turn your head again to Winter look at me only Spring, let me burn your bright wings free from the charred snow let me touch your darkness with my breath melt your icy eyes to mine look, my love, it is Spring we have awakened the sky look, how passing blue you are without clouds

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-48947624313377986402010-10-26T21:11:00.001-04:002010-10-26T21:13:28.380-04:00

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-55304463300406822922010-10-26T21:01:00.004-04:002010-10-29T13:42:36.380-04:00

I knew I was a mirrorwhen I stretched myselfwide and shiningshore to shorebut who knew that the sky would lean down to its reflectionand fallwho knew that these two limitless forests of bluewere onewith no horizonwho knew I was the color of the sky

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-78244896472906323212010-10-02T20:20:00.002-04:002010-10-02T20:21:46.891-04:00

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-38523245832248400142010-10-02T20:17:00.007-04:002011-01-31T17:17:14.292-05:00

understand the night stand under it as if it were your soul poured over you understand the night's design the beat and hush of great wings opening the moon is dark by whose light do you catch the glow in its hollows and crevices stand under it as if it were your soul poured over you

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-8876619511564041462010-08-15T10:16:00.002-04:002010-08-15T10:19:55.877-04:00

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-5733101575283678702010-08-15T09:45:00.005-04:002010-08-15T10:19:33.438-04:00

red sunwith your fingers foldeddo you know meclouds upon your browdo you rememberseeds in the urgent earthare you wakingskin of the desert soilare you breakingsunwith your eyes upon mecan you touch mewhite and searingas a cymbal crashingwill you spare meface the dawnas if the sunwere risingwhere will I plant my feetto raise the dawn

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-77019109510854945762010-08-05T01:14:00.001-04:002010-08-05T01:16:33.537-04:00

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-71825397769901409062010-08-05T01:07:00.003-04:002010-10-26T21:17:12.078-04:00

it's only thatyou own the airand the far violet rimof the earthis yoursand the sudden forestbloomingwhen you brush past mehere, where I'm showing youit's only thatmy heartbeats to the rhythm of wingsin your airit's not that I need you

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-39526681103838427672010-07-11T20:02:00.001-04:002010-07-11T20:27:53.068-04:00

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-2235578668339805062010-07-11T19:52:00.004-04:002010-08-15T10:21:51.868-04:00

joy opensyour handseach morningand at noonwhen you find your armsrisingas if the sun-sprinkled dust carried themupwardwhat is itthat lifts your palmslike pollenforcing your petals apartwhat is thisjoythisnever-ending beginning

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-89777683565439129652010-07-03T10:07:00.002-04:002010-07-03T10:19:06.621-04:00

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-32072197688611468762010-07-03T10:03:00.001-04:002010-07-03T10:18:34.933-04:00

come out, you sayinto this elementlove has a heavinessto rest your head uponcome out, you saylove has a shapeto hold uswhen we slip like shadowsinto the nightstepping into the bare currentcome out, you saythere is no breakingin this elementmore ancientthan air

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-46358775173128439942010-06-10T03:43:00.000-04:002010-06-10T03:52:11.394-04:00

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-48750189040020141672010-06-10T03:26:00.001-04:002010-06-10T03:39:00.094-04:00

justopen my headand look insee the flock of pigeonsturning, suddenlyas if throwna hundred wingscatching the sunin a dazzle of whiteand my breath fillswith the same goldwords cannot hold itsee the raven of poetryresting its heavy feeton my shoulderI do not hunt, it saysI'm not a hawk,never will bewake me up whena pigeon fallsI take dinneron the ground

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-34319565678329433972010-05-01T21:45:00.001-04:002010-05-01T21:46:57.799-04:00

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-15562939350924197572010-05-01T21:31:00.002-04:002010-05-01T21:46:15.909-04:00

if I knew you would hold meeven in darknessI would not grievethe last light on the burnished grassdid you send firefliesto catch my heartat sunsetand disappearcan you feelthe seasons over usmoving, breathing like seagulls' wingswill you send birdsat duskwhen your arms are open

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-69260986975754539042010-02-25T16:44:00.002-05:002010-02-25T16:45:12.655-05:00

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-43325770302877364232010-02-25T16:30:00.003-05:002010-02-25T16:44:41.217-05:00

surely there is life leftin this pagethese dry cellswoven from the hair and boneof treesjust ask the still moon who watches your branches stretch and murmur taut with the earth's heartbeatand yes, my pen sensesthe flatness and thirstof a buried riverlife leftto uncover

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-54601906563185014012010-01-31T22:03:00.003-05:002010-02-01T21:22:32.365-05:00

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-78487101861208896102010-01-31T21:02:00.029-05:002010-02-03T00:59:47.743-05:00

this is what I came here for--the tingle of not knowing--the creaking thrillof an opening doorfor this I poured my soulwillingly into a shell of skinchild of mysterylook at me-- bare elbows, like wings with no featherslegs that would makea tiger laugh...and see here, this trembling in my chestthat catches my breathwith each rustle of black shadowseach sharp streak of lightin a stranger's eyesand

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-72534092957611135752009-12-25T09:50:00.004-05:002009-12-26T12:13:42.110-05:00

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-25683126936027324182009-12-25T09:42:00.006-05:002009-12-26T12:12:40.937-05:00

pale one,be still and watch how I create the nightthis purring darknessthat molds itself to my furbody against bodysee how the wind slowsto rub against meuntil the sway of my ribssets it ripplingbe still and watchhow I travelforward into last night's selfreturning homewhen I exhale, it isthe night that exitscan you follow medo you want a piece of the darkto call your own

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-72964898121455537802009-11-24T00:45:00.002-05:002009-11-24T00:50:07.483-05:00

This is a photo of last year's ice storm--the real thing was ten times more beautiful! And no, I'm not wishing for ice any time soon...

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-5414197861075155012009-11-24T00:29:00.002-05:002009-11-24T00:33:34.145-05:00

I knew that I would breakwhen I threw myself onto the rockI wanted to feelmy heart burst opento losethe grip of the earthto separate into a million eyeseach one a golden imageof the sunand wasn't it the sun itselfwho raised mehigher than the earth could followand isn't it happinessto be so brokenthat nothing can weigh me downbut light

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-45220062225453149942009-11-03T22:07:00.002-05:002009-11-03T22:30:33.464-05:00

These terns apparently do this a lot--did NOT seem to have hanky-panky in mind...(I WAS watching for a long time!)

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-24845573594286149912009-11-03T22:02:00.002-05:002009-11-03T22:28:18.881-05:00

you don't have to tellwere you ever fullas thatcrescent moonon the horizondon't explainthe darkinside youyou don't have to tellwere you ever heavywith lightdid your smile melt the edge of dawnyou don't have to tellbut your cells rememberwhen you knewyou were lovedand you were that slice of fire

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-48008240946347324972009-09-30T08:17:00.000-04:002009-09-30T08:18:19.187-04:00

Ringtailed lemurs, that is...I'm not quite sure how many are in this photo!

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-23949746958784894492009-09-29T21:17:00.004-04:002009-12-23T23:43:43.295-05:00

forgive me for running outto meet the thunderforgive me for thinkingthat lightning there burned brighterthan anythingin your gardenwhere even my fingertipscould drink the dewso soft was Iforgive me for asking, nowbut didn't you love, sometimethis blackened worldwhere wild-eyed creaturesrace down cliffsto flee the flamesand didn't youhold forgiveness in your handswhen you shaped my bonesand you, I

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-26460907224806590192009-09-11T21:28:00.005-04:002009-09-11T21:40:00.651-04:00

This really was my car odometer -- a magical sight that I don't expect to see again in a lifetime! (Kind of like an total eclipse, no?)

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-40592758737579581422009-09-03T23:06:00.002-04:002009-09-03T23:14:08.882-04:00

spaceis a wonderful placefor a rockLo! see me stretch outmy volcanic hearttill my craterssmilewhether you watchor notwhileI ponder gravityatmosphere, and rainthose oscillating oceansthat overwhelm the brainslimeand such bizarritiesas finite timeHa! I am too dryto cryI am rockremembering whenthere was fragrant fleshsurrounding my bodyand I was the dense centercrouchingknowing somehow that I would

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-71870272527024231052009-08-27T21:17:00.006-04:002009-08-27T21:36:25.635-04:00

I finally got some photos of the rare Red Panda--the zookeepers had to wake her up to put her inside for the night...you can't see in these photos, but there was quite a battle of wills! --And a big bag of treats to get her off her perch. (This is all the same individual, funny how the pictures look so different)--click on the photos to get a close-up view!

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-63425113079213586382009-08-18T21:14:00.003-04:002009-08-18T21:16:33.702-04:00

This one is much too exotic to live in my neighborhood...unless it's in the zoo, of course!

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-81661043746081178452009-08-18T21:09:00.002-04:002009-08-18T21:12:35.163-04:00

whatever bird you arewhose wings whisperlike ships leaving the shorewhatever bird you arewho waits until my heartis a desert skyto flywhose color is the still windbefore it turns awaywhose song is the air darkeningwho moves inside mealwaysat twilightwhatever bird you are

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-10307599436052556592009-08-05T22:16:00.001-04:002009-08-05T22:21:46.067-04:00

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-15023220940238279492009-08-05T21:34:00.005-04:002009-08-05T22:34:06.096-04:00

the moment thatthe nightreleased my handsand let me fallto landand leap again into the airwas I thinkingthat with every breathI would aim for the sky againor with each heartbeatre-inventthe arc, the bow, the thrustof motionwas I thinkingthat there would bea next moment, and a nexttime passesstill I standfalling, again fallingas the night holds upmy veil of light

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-55133186127969019272009-07-17T23:39:00.000-04:002009-07-17T23:40:17.360-04:00

I have no idea what it is! (But I did meet it face to face in the Conservatory)

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-33811921029565429182009-07-17T23:29:00.002-04:002009-07-17T23:36:45.662-04:00

when I saw youlaid open to the airI never askedwho had cut youor with what instrumentI knewthat you were readyto let go those glowingdark seedsout of your bellygently, with cautionand when I saw you strandedon the sandsweet abalone mouthaway from waterI didn't askhow your scent would melt into my fingertipsor how the sound of palm treeswould sigh insidemy breath

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-34193880142800469992009-06-25T21:46:00.001-04:002009-06-25T21:46:45.309-04:00

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-37060566618110582202009-06-25T21:39:00.003-04:002009-06-25T23:01:10.937-04:00

I plannedfor my wingsto pull the air acrossyour facejust like thisand formy small flicker of flameto scorchfor a secondthe cloth of your darknessjust like thisand for youto rise along my dotted line of lightsabove the night's curtainjust like thissurprised youdidn't IThis post (although it's about a firefly) is dedicated to Michael Jackson, who defies gravity, now and forever!

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-76578492185513445922009-06-09T07:31:00.001-04:002009-06-09T07:31:35.628-04:00

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-52634147157861056622009-06-09T07:24:00.002-04:002009-06-09T07:30:45.877-04:00

leave your collar of fireon the horizontake off your shoescome barefoot into my worldroll hereto meon the fading grasswhile your last thoughtsflicker above ussoft, on the belliesof cloudsshadows grow in hollowsreaching out to youtouching the red embersof your skinroll down into the oceanof my armseyes closedincognitobeing of light

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-79891822509752855252009-05-30T10:45:00.002-04:002009-05-30T10:51:33.034-04:00

even closer if you click on it!

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-70090687063760004342009-05-30T10:11:00.016-04:002009-06-04T13:49:48.814-04:00

one of your faces openslike a flower, tothe sound of waterthat races madly over cliffs, after a showerone of your facesis shutand reflects the moonyou say you would ratherthe rain did not ruffle your petalsyou have had quite enough of seasonssee, how well you have hardened your rippled skin into stoneone of your faces speaks to me, in the way of weatherfierce and coldone of your selvesis

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-20374458574897254422009-05-23T09:35:00.000-04:002009-05-23T09:36:12.665-04:00

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-30703038395274801792009-05-23T09:14:00.010-04:002009-05-23T14:29:16.826-04:00

I notice that the sunforgot to setin that worldthat glowsbehind your eyesthere, where the snowy egret still flieswhy on earth should it ever landwhile its wings are still draped in golden lightand the sand so smoothunder its flightand whyshould this creaking worldeven thinkof turning or the twilight think of fallingwhile love stillleans overwhisperingto its own heartand I and the daystill hold up

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-19026655735735924992009-05-10T12:34:00.002-04:002009-06-17T00:41:38.051-04:00

I don't know exactly what these are called--if anyone knows, tell me!(I found out they are called Langurs)

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-47590450364134328642009-05-10T11:53:00.016-04:002009-05-10T13:07:08.980-04:00

tell me the truthwas it youwho sent this hummingbirdthat teases me into your worldof lilacs and skydid you put that white wisteriain my pathto undo my breathor this alarming sudden swirlof mockingbird's wingstell me, was it youwho engineered meto break apartlike a dry crust of soilat the touchof someone's heartsee, you have shattered the skin of my soulfinallywith the sharp ache of beautyin a

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-52888639103963447102009-04-22T23:10:00.001-04:002009-04-22T23:10:41.156-04:00

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-88334005993151771402009-04-22T23:08:00.000-04:002009-04-22T23:09:21.359-04:00

you, my dear are royaltyeven on days like thiswhen your heartis hollowyour soul still spreads golden and glowingacross the fieldson days like thisthe grass must still bow downthe world kneels at your feetas its sunpassesmoving these simple blades and stalksunder the caressof your eyesas if blessed

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-86371156303325812952009-04-14T21:45:00.001-04:002009-04-14T21:46:59.463-04:00

Or--just an excuse for another cute photo!

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-14905127363674000892009-04-08T00:02:00.001-04:002009-04-08T00:04:49.805-04:00

Actually at the zoo--but I really WAS that close!

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-88266228190594802222009-04-03T23:15:00.004-04:002009-04-08T10:11:27.884-04:00

just lean a bit this wayuntil you fallinto a hidden room behind your mindwhere only you can enterjust you and the universethat's alland did I mentionthere is no flooronly a steady flowof loveto hold youno walls to keep your thoughtsfrom meltingno better time than nowto lean this way

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-24171341727186858012009-03-15T21:51:00.004-04:002009-03-16T21:09:33.913-04:00

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-60577397286933691792009-03-15T21:16:00.011-04:002009-03-16T21:53:50.509-04:00

I know you are your own forever lovehere take your handthose gentle fingersI've seen openlike a flower in bloomwhen your heart is fulland your soul stops reachingfor scattered roses in the road do Ineed to saythat the sun will not rise each daywithout your eyesand that your every stepis a danceyour feet following each otherforever in love

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-56899763569647715412009-03-04T21:53:00.003-05:002009-03-07T00:59:20.657-05:00

click on photo to see more detail!

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-1344348867247892082009-03-03T22:01:00.006-05:002009-03-04T22:06:24.377-05:00

you are welcometo touch the invisiblelightthat reaches towards youfrom my handdo you feel it flowingit is the color you seewhen you closeyour eyelidsa whisperacross the nightmy waves breakingon the edge ofthat space inside youthat has no name

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-10570424036183490112009-02-27T23:22:00.004-05:002009-02-27T23:36:41.638-05:00

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-63917204614103011632009-02-27T22:18:00.008-05:002009-02-28T07:04:40.121-05:00

Humansare meantto have wingshave you noticedwhen your arms fold into cover your chestsomehow your body is still balancedit's the weightof your wingssolid with featherssoft white, rippled withshadowsyour shoulders knowthe effortless liftto the sky and have you noticedthat the smoke is thickersince the wind has risentell meare you finished withthe fire if your heart can let goyour wings are waiting

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-58927674145354468462009-02-21T00:52:00.001-05:002009-02-21T09:25:56.362-05:00

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-40152308148344016542009-02-20T23:38:00.012-05:002009-02-21T09:31:02.340-05:00

a stoneonly breaks oncebut a heartis born to cracklike ice in springtime under the slow unflinching sunheaving its crystal skininto islandsand continentssplitting apart in dark veinsof glassmelting, meltinguntilthe night's steel fingersglide over the torn edgessmoothing the scars awaysolid againunbrokenuntil morning

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-84435311765087646882009-02-13T22:51:00.001-05:002009-02-27T23:37:41.491-05:00

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-49849751963069497522009-02-13T21:53:00.005-05:002009-02-14T09:10:23.468-05:00

I foundfor youa perfect circleof seawhere the sunhad splashed in and outall afternoonlike a childdiving downto wiggle its bare toeson the sandy bottomthe February ice had dissolved into bubbles the wind had also melted awayand I triedto savea piece of the turquoise dayfor youmarbled with goldlike a cat's eye dripping wetin both handsThis valentine is for my beloved readers, all of you, known and

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-80440723664776099292009-02-09T00:34:00.001-05:002009-02-09T00:42:28.557-05:00

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-15933976481347256122009-02-09T00:06:00.017-05:002009-03-14T09:26:04.835-04:00

I want to leave this earthand moveto violetsuch a shade, shimmeringon the flanks of mountainsviolet, why do you appearonly when the sky is closing for the nightand when I crossthe distancebetween usyou vanishinto red sunset streakson the treesand blue canyon shadowsbut never thatvioletthat I loveif I hitch a rideon the full moonand roll to your distant edgeif I strip myselfclean as snowwill you

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-28150219298628114742009-02-04T20:49:00.003-05:002009-02-04T21:20:21.545-05:00

Self-explanatory? This performance was at the Cherry Blossom Festival (Sakura Matsuri) at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden last Spring(click on photo for more detail)

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-471265461904107762009-02-04T20:24:00.015-05:002009-02-04T23:14:01.046-05:00

is it this cloudinside my chestthat makes me think of youor is itthat tiny black ducktherewith the small white patcharound its eyebobbing alonein an empty oceansee, I am certainthat if that infinitesimal dark spotin its centerdisappearedthe sea would rise up like a torn blue blanketand peel itself off the earthinto the skythat is,from what I knowabout love

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-17536693995465630352009-02-01T23:22:00.001-05:002009-02-01T23:22:53.363-05:00

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25106504.post-87634845084914013802009-02-01T22:38:00.003-05:002009-02-01T23:12:18.690-05:00

dear heart,were you waitingfor a perfect angleof sunriseto melt the snowwas there a bluebirdexpectedperhaps a lava flowor, to be more gentlea thinningof the earth's skinjust sowere you hoping for warmthare you willingto settlelet's talk

firebirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924005848870170400noreply@blogger.com10