Feathers

She found one on the beach. He found another. They were right under their noses.

Feathers fall silent to the forest floor;

As sky birds soar

High above down plucked

In springtime molting.

Feathers wings fill bonnets;

Pillows— sleepy eyes, resting,

Nestled under mother’s comforter cozy,

Dreaming alone, hearing nightingale wail.

Feathers from cooing doves transcend time.

Through Aboriginal arrow-vanes,

To soldier’s airborne wings protection

From enemies seen and unseen.

Feathers plumed contrails cross eyes,

To see, entice women in feathered hats.

Peacock eyed earrings and hair clips;

Never mind feather dusters.

Feathers fill men’s nests with tales of hunting,

Or quilled declarations-love independence

All shot by bow and computer button

To hit their target, ‘til finally —

Feathers tickle children’s soles to laughter

At Cupid’s dart

Aimed toward

The loved one’s heart.