PHYLLIS BECK KATZ, POET
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POEMS/ Fall Out at Sabine Woods

Picture
Fall Out at Sabine Woods

When I saw the great storm
thundering off the coast 
from towering dark clouds, 
oh, then I knew the rain 
would batter down 
on thousands of birds 
flying for days
from winter habitats 
across the Gulf of Mexico 
to summer breeding grounds, 
knew these small song birds, 
would be tossed and pounded 
by relentless wind and water, 
knew some would not 
reach land, find safety 
in the waiting woods.

When I saw the great storm
had let go its force and 
turned away, I walked
into the woods and found
how hundreds of survivors 
had dropped onto the ground
and  into the trees
and perched there glistening 
in the dark wet leaves, 
tanagers, buntings, gross beaks,
red, oranges, blues and yellows
like ornaments or bursting buds, 
blossoms or ripe fruits. 
I did not know until I saw 
their rainbow colors lighting up 
the woods, oh, how they would 
touch my sodden spirit, teach me 
to keep flying through a storm 
of loss and grief.


©Phyllis Beck Katz

Copyright 2018, Phyllis Beck Katz. All rights reserved.