Birds of Rhiannon

   by Mimi Ferraro

The Welsh Goddess Rhiannon (Great Queen) was 
accompanied by totem birds whose songs could 
“awaken the dead and lull the living to sleep.” 


Afternoon a trembling reed
time whisper   ripples clothe
the birds of Rhiannon flute  air
outside
on the front porch 
I turn at just the right moment
heliographic glimpse of someone—
maybe you   someone like you  someone imagined—
body streaming light.
You the joyful child.
He holds your hand, your son.
leads you uphill   over  the rise