Wings of a Redbird
By Ronda Miller

Out of the corner of my eye
Your bright red wings spread
Catching me by surprise.
Take my breath and use it.
Lift yourself away.
Out of my sight you must go
You fly on some higher plane
Encircling all you loved
In one uplifting swoop.
And now you’ve gone
I continue to hold my breath
And hope to find
One lone feather left behind
To hold against my chest.

– Ronda Miller lives in Lawrence.