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C.E. Skilling

The Blue Jay

A Blue Jay cried
      from his hidden perch
      as she struggled for a moment
      finishing the birth with a sudden lurch

A cry escaped her lips
      just before he took a breath
      starting on this journey called life
      from this shared beginning, to his private death

The babe soon settled
      at peace on the breast
      and the mother in reflection
      had finally found time to rest

Cool were the breezes that day
      and white clouds floated in an ice blue sky
      the sounds of the forest would soon resume
      as the echoes settled from his first cry

Here now was nature at her finest
      whispering trees singing a secret tune
      a mountain brook chiming in with it's muffled tones
      as the sky gave them promise of a full moon

She would hold him close
      to start the bond between them now
      a fat little nose, crushed to her breast
      sleepy eyes, wrinkled hands and brow

And a Blue Jay was heard once again
      atop the tallest of trees
      hopping and squawking
      first in ones, then twos; and finally threes