Thursday, November 18, 2021

 

St. Louis, MO [Circa 1960] 


A blackbird is crowing

on Arsenal Street.

He’s been there for years

and does not retreat.

 

A redbird is singing

on Botanical Street.

He’s living the good life

with plenty to eat.

 

The blackbird nests

in the fissures of those walls

where locked in nightmares

desperation walks the halls.

 

The redbird flies freely

in Tower Grove Park

nesting in vibrant trees

chased by a Lark.

 

Young people emerge

from Emmaus, St. John’s.

Messiah leads a caravan

to Arsenal Street’s lawn.

 

Serving the neighbor,

assist in stairs, push wheelchairs.

Assemble for worship

yet totally unaware.

 

Redbird flies away

and nothing is changed.

Blackbird on Arsenal Street

in the stillness remains.

 

Copyright @2021 by Kenn Storck

May be reprinted with permission.

kennstorck@gmail.com

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