LINGONBERRY SONGBIRDS

I walked home through Battery
Park past the playground

Swings slides sandbox
A merry-go-round

Stillness, quiet only found at
One AM
No motors
No voices
Not even the Hudson

Except waves lapping rocks
& a bird singing
Two for a while as a
Group of kids sidled

Past
What’s so friggin’ funny
It’s beautiful
(they’re singing)

I swear we
Communicated
The bird and I

One could hear
In tones
We answered one
Another through
Lingonberry leaves

Over wet grass
Across the park echoing
Whistling
Even laughter

I was so amazed
I couldn’t help it

29 July 2004