The Parliament of Fowls

And soon was aware
They were watching me.

I walked down the path
Past the tiny creek,

And a flutter followed
Through the leaves.

When I stopped and looked back
The motion ceased.

…

I sat on a tree stump
And joined the silence;

I tried to become
Part of the environment.

Shyly, as if afraid to be seen,

A mourning dove lighted
In front of me.

...

Now, I’ve been shadowed by crows
And accompanied by robins,

But never had a dove
Pay me any attention.

I had nothing to offer
In terms of food,

But stayed with him
Simply from love.

We were silent together
Then, off he went.

And I’ve often wondered
About his intent,

We humans complicate every event.

...

But let’s keep things simple
As we should—

He saw me out walking
In a lonely woods,

And thought he’d welcome me
To the neighborhood.

That’s close as I can come
To why he paused,

And in the Parliament of fowls
That’s probable cause.