For the Birds

by Gina Cohen, Nicholas Klacsanzky, and Michael Dylan Welch

First published in Presence #58, July 2017, page 74. Originally written on 6 July 2016 after a three-mile hike to the waterfront at Saint Edward State Park in Kenmore, Washington.

uphill walk . . .

crows call to each other

across the sky Gina

from which window

will the swallow come out next? Nicholas

empty beach—

sandpiper tracks

end at the bicycle track Michael

calling to the chickadee

it answers back Gina

parking lot seagull—

the white line

even whiter Nicholas

my daughter’s little finger

on the hummingbird nest Michael