steely stillness
Updated: May 26, 2020
May 10 - 14 Week 5/72
frost-tinged air left over from
a clear, star-filled night lingers
while on the willow, still as stone,
sits a young red-tailed hawk
muscles too cold and stiff to begin a hunt
down below, four barn swallows balance
on the stalks of last year's cattails
steely blue backs facing west
tawny breasts welcoming
the warmth of the rising sun
a deep stillness hangs in the air
no long swoops, skimming or
daredevil dives until a warmed updraft
persuades them to push off
leaving anemones and a solitary
snail to bask on their own