Splash

Bird Bath by Elizabeth Reninger

Only this
matters: this ecstatic
baptism

this standing on stick-
thin legs where the singing
creek pools at the lip
of the waterfall

Only this
ruby-feathered
chest diving to meet
its reflection

this beak piercing
again and again that quivering
surface, these wings half-
unfolding, a ruffle

of joy guiding rivers
of light a tumble
of droplets dressed
in rainbows along your hidden spine

shattering all decorum beneath
blue branches in quiet
assent...


Was actually looking at a bee leaning down to take a drink from the bird bath when the female blackbird decided to take an evening bath. She deserved some tlc, she has been running herself ragged all day collecting mealworms. We can hear the offspring in the yew tree but still await their appearance in the open.

In other news, we have started a mealworm farm. In a biscuit tin - hessian sacking, potato and bran and 200 mealworms. Fingers crossed, cos they aint cheap!