First, of nature's course, it was the birds; <br />for theirs the air, above and over all; <br />knowing by intuition without need of words <br />as providential, seasoned, sure <br />as sparrow's fall; <br />and knowing too <br />how much to trust to men <br />who do not even trust each other. <br /> <br />It was, of nature's course, the snowy eagle <br />entrusted with the task: <br />the only bird who may look straight into the sun; and thus <br />to whom that message might be given, to ask, <br />to pass on to his lord; the only bird <br />whose plumage may reflect the sun's majestic rays, <br />and live; perhaps to bring a message back. <br /> <br />As to the message - was it just a sprig <br />of leaves from tallest tree - polluted, withered, black as crow? <br />or was it something inner in the words <br />as spoken on the flight from wintry sun to warmth, or <br />warmth to Northern spring? <br /> <br />They watched, the conference of the silent birds, <br />while snowy eagle, like the teepee's early morning smoke, <br />ascended higher, higher, into the sun's great eye, <br />which never man - eagle alone - may see; <br />and... do birds hope? <br />Or as the twilight falls upon the earth, accept <br />that what shall be, shall be?<br /><br />Michael Shepherd<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/pollution-and-climate-change/
