Rites

Spring comes on the wings of a swallowed-tailed kite

ascetic white and black

scissoring the sky

hungry for life

gorging on the wing

whispering into the wind

secrets gleaned from darker places, deeper jungles

flying from fire

into a landscape pregnant with promise

and devastation

Circling. Circling.

Those who stop

to look

to watch

to pray

to cry

to listen

to praise

are saved.

Spring comes on the wings of a swallowed-tailed kite

ascetic white and black

scissoring the sky

hungry for life

gorging on the wing

whispering into the wind

secrets gleaned from darker places, deeper jungles

flying from fire

into a landscape pregnant with promise

and devastation

Wheeling. Wheeling.

Those who stop

to look

to watch

to pray

to cry

to listen

to mourn

cannot escape

but they are saved.