my friend told me the quick version
redwing blackbirds nest in tall grasses
that he at 7 and his sister could reach
they stole a baby hand fed soaked bread
it grew uncaged landed on fingers
the pet cat pecked skin and toes
and one day never returned
probably killed by a cat
a kid or something it trusted
as he finished I wondered how painful it
was to nurture something with love
then watch it perish from its faith
and if one could raise a creature and
feed it from distance without affection
lovelessly and in other ways
sow distrust caution fear
teach it to fly quickly into trees
when people or cats approach
encourage nest building in the tallest rushes
where curious children can’t steal
innocence that needs to be bruised
wounded scabbed over
leave them to our wonder
admire them for that blood red dot
blurred in the beating of black wings