Little Yellow Bird

Little Yellow Bird

What?

You have a message?

Tell me, 

I don't see!

There must be a reason,

you landed close to me.

You jump 

on my window,

look in 

at my fright.

What do you want?

What course is your flight?

You flit yellow wings,

"Don't go", 

You seem to say.

What do you want?

I  don't have all day!

Okay!

I see you.

I'll stay awhile.

Read dates, 

names and service

of each soldier child.

White gravestones 

sit still,

On this overcast day.

Why me? 

What can I do?

No words can I say.

Like a chess board of players

lined up 

side by side,

Game's finished, 

it's done.

Pawns they all died.

I stay and read names

Melvin, 

Donald and Roy. 

Dates carved in black,

each one 

for a boy.

Forgotten. 

Not today,

I accompany the dead.

A message delivered,

Warm tears are shed.

Humbled and weary,

I want to lay down.

in soft grass by spirits,

this little bird found.

I open my car door,

See a veil 

through the mirror.

It was lifted awhile

and guided me here.

I fasten my seat belt,

for the drive 

heading east.

And hope that the souls here

will soon 

rest in peace.