The Cardinal
Donald P. Goodman III
Version 1.0,
A flash of shimm'ring red flits to a nearby tree
and perches there, his crest so proudly held up high;
his crimson tail an arrow, pointing jauntily,
like jets to push him soaring into azure sky.
His feathers are a cooling fire, and light the air
already lit by sunlight; and his eyes so black
a man could fall into their depths and revel there,
rejoicing in his fate, and never looking back.
He perches there, so small, and yet bespeaks so much,
a signpost pointing creatures down the proper track;
a life so tiny, yet so bright, and shining such
that all who truly see him he will truly touch.