Prayer for Sick Purple Finches
Gather not at the Eastern feeder any longer.
Though you comfort me
I will let you go
The Vet told me not to feed you for now:
disperse and heal he says, for
the blue of you need a new venue
Listen to the wise old owl, Horace Greeley:
Go West young purple finch and friends,
disperse to the winds of joy
or walk through the bushes
like a hidden valley of endless safety
Even for an avian purple prose
there is salvation in the chirp-word
Follow the guiding chirps
of the mystery birds and
if you listen to
the flap of the Grand Eagle
it will comfort you,
Listen then carefully,
and my flighty travelers
you will not be afraid
and though I’ll miss you
I know you saw me
peeking at the feeder
with love
— Douglas Gilbert
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