Crimson spills across the sky
A soft-crowned sun is in sight.

Sunlight spies strings of pearl drops
On new shoots,
Buys them all in a wink.

Pairs of ragged-winged black birds
Shape figure eights
In a synchonized ballet.
Small birds chase a blackbird --
Galaxy-orbiting the intruder.

Three black swans
Circle the shadows of the bay
Sundial steady.
Two lovebirds roost
On the grassy bank
Dovetail close.

The sun dips to kiss the river
And leaves it with an orange-pekoe blush
Breathy in the falling darkness.

Look to the right.
The loose curve of the Heron --
A brushstroke on the blue Gatineaus.

Published in Bywords: Poetry and Ottawa Literary Events, Volume 5, Number 12, October 1995.