I saw a bright, majestic, red bird,

 A cardinal that landed on my tree.

It watched me through my window,

Staring eye to eye, directly at me.

It seemed to know a secret,

One that I had not been told.

Perhaps the mysteries of the ages

In his wings he did enfold.

The cold was all around him,

Ice glittered, snow danced.

Though this deserted aviator held tightly to his perch,

Alone on that solitary branch.

Sky above him,

Earth below...

Where would he journey next?

Neither one of us seemed to know.

He stayed for only one more moment,

This brief juncture in time.

We shared an inquisitive glance.

We shared an effortless rhyme.

Merry Christmas. In memory of my grandmother, Katherine Burris.