Peruvian Hummingbirds

Please may I
be reincarnated
as a hummingbird
from Peru?
Could become
a sparkling violetear,
an amethyst woodstar,
or a
black-throated mango.
Quite fancy the
rufous-crested coquette.
Wouldn't mind being
a fork-tailed woodnymph
or black-breasted hillstar.
Booted racket-tail
sounds fun.
See me flitting
among greenery
seeking sweetness,
cavorting with the
marvelous spatuletail.

A.H.

Maximum Alertness to Life* and Prayer for My Sisters

Maximum Alertness to Life*

See the tiny branches
outside the window
weaving patterns
against the sky,
a study in black
on a gray canvas.
Now a chickadee
wanders into the scene-
flits and leaves
as a raven
catches the corner
of this evolving portrait.

*phrase stolen, heard on radio (wish I could attribute)

Prayer for My Sisters*

We were fledged
in the same nest
and now have hatched
our own lives.
Hope you are held
in comfort today,
supported and secure
in loving hands,
your nest
a sanctuary in storms.
Wish you a good view
wherever you perch.
If needed
my heart flies to you-
an irridescent feather
to soften hard landings.
Fly on
sisters of the same nest.

*in response to prayer request from two sisters
I am grateful for seven splendid sisters.

A.H.

Word Pictures from Peru

Night Bus to Arequipa

We clung
to the belly
of the metal beast
as it lurched and groaned
into the night
crawling along mountain roads
shuddering and shaking.
At first light
we approached Arequipa
where the creature
spit us out
into the day.
*******

Cusco

Cusco clutches
the mountain sides
and thousands of steps
bite the earth.
Huff, puff,
feel 11,000 feet.
Walk carefully
on uneven stones,
narrow streets,
cars constantly arguing
with the road
and each other.
Honk, honk!
Street dogs
contibute their offerings
to the experience.
Oh s--t,
didn't see that one.

A.H.