Saturday, October 15, 2011

Universal truths

We know there must be universal truths
when a sculpture, photographed in NH,
brings solace to a woman grieving
on a quiet beach in Washington
for the loss of eleven birds
who were migrating from Alaska
on their way to California.
Does it matter that the birds
are not an endangered species?
Does it matter that what killed them
may just be toxic algae, nothing dramatic
like oil spills, or pollution?
Does that alleviate the sadness?
No.  And so I picture Mother Earth,
with these birds cradled in her arms,
crooning her universal mother song
of love and reassurance...

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