The Bird Camera

It gray metallic box rests on a railing of our fence,

Its glass eye always open, never blinking,

Watching with the steel gaze of universal indifference,

Capturing every move.

Every move that sparrow, starling, mockingbird,

Blackbird will make

As they peck away at the grains and seeds

Spilled out for them.

Today seven, eight sparrows are pecking away.

Later I will retrieve the memory card,

Download the photographs, and

Live in awe once and gratitude

For this time, this camera, and these birds.

--December 16, 2013