by Chantal Lapointe
A blue bunting landed on my railing yesterday
I saw him through the patio door
beautiful indigo
a rare delight
a generous dab of colour on a grey day
I wonder if he's been here before and will come again
I search each time I pass the glass
hoping to catch another glimpse of him
I put more seed in the backyard feeder
wishing to lure him closer
every flutter outside my window draws my eye
chickadees abundant as ever
a faithful morning cardinal
dashing red
feeding seeds to his mate
but what of my blue bunting
will he not return to me
can I not entice him with fresh seed
and my wanting
I wait expectantly for him to return
but my heart knows
his visit was a passing token of grace
a singular blue offering this long rainy spring
he seeks suitable habitat in wilder more open land
one of tall grasses that edges a forest
and a slow winding river
so mostly I close my eyes
and sink back into that tender moment
when the unexpected arrived
and the constancy of life paused
and there was space for an extra breath
and for stillness
and for wonder