the doctor bird

on knutsford boulevard the doctor bird
sips nectar from the blossoms in the noise
of passing traffic and the tall absurd
motions of people yet the creature's poise
is magical unaltered by the place
or human action honest of its kind
but still as brutal does not steal its grace
restoring beauty in a time that's blind
to this reality there's one more cast
that memory had woken an older tale
of pain and loss from a forgotten past
where all the goods must come at end to fail
yet truth will flutter on a humming wing
asking the heart in spite of all to sing 

villanelle for an adult birthday

 now say good riddance to the year gone by

at one more fading of the foolish light

with full rejoicing that you did not die

 

tomorrow sun will rise on the same sky

and yours will be the task to get things right

now say good riddance to the year gone by

 

do not dwell long on how it seemed to fly

right past your thought and your diminished might

with full rejoicing that you did not die

 

get on your feet and led the hard words lie

just keep in mind that things could be less bright

now say good riddance to the year gone by

 

and get on with the stuff you can't deny

the tasks the pile up and the work not slight

with full rejoicing that you did not die

 

in dreamless sleep where all thought had run dry

you live for now don't rush the longest night

now say good riddance to the year gone by

with full rejoicing that you did not die