Believing in Birds

In plainword, let’s run through that again—she steps out

of East Tennessee Cleaners and is swarmed
............by a plural of birds, a charm
............of finches.

This is not Hitchcock, no flights of fancy. This is not a thaumaturgy. This is not
............an evangelist’s tent.

A halo of wing surrounds
...........a woman who is not stunned, smiles,
...........calmly lifts her arms, conducting

a feathered symphony. Do I report this to the local Department

of Miracle Control, tie small prayers
........... on gingko branches? Do I build altars
............in the parking lot, shower them

with blossoms? Shall we petition to canonize her for gifts to lowly workers who do not sing.

We hear them crying
............the way they do when they are ready
............to settle for the night.