A Dove in Winter

Photo credit: Janell Strube

A dove on a branch in winter turns her ring-necked head
to regard me as I walk by. She coos to acknowledge me.
Ooo-ooo-ooo, umm, umm, umm. She’s crying for America.
I can’t go to the gym today. Nothing feels normal.

I hear the caw of a crow, look up, see his broad black
wings plough unseen vortices through azure sky, hear
the sparkle twitter of sparrows hidden among jacaranda
fronds, listen to the bright chatter of an unknown bird.

I drive to the ocean. I need to touch Mother Earth,
I need to hear her sighs of infinite entreaty.
When I get out of the car and walk to the beach,
two orcas breach a line of steel blue waves.

Black and white
together in one body.
Janell Strube 2/2/2025