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For A Time, by Brandy L. Werner
Winning Poem from Poetry for the Mind's Joy, The Poetry and Literature Center at the Library of Congress
Back to list of winning poems
This poem was submitted for the "Poetry for the Mind's Joy" project and is reproduced here with permission from the author. All rights reserved. Poetry for the Mind's Joy is Poet Laureate Kay Ryan's project that includes a community college poetry contest administered by the Community College Humanities Association and a lively videoconference.
I see the little red bird
On my window sill,
A startling presence.
For a time
The bird sits
Framed in my window,
A red spot against a white scene.
For a time
The world outside
Is reflected in his feathers,
Glowing crimson.
For a time
He begins to share a soft tune
Meant only for me;
An audience of one.
For a time
I allow myself
To be mesmerized
By the melody.
For a time
I am immersed in the song,
Drowning
In the sound.
For a time
I imagine
That every pitch, each tune
Is meant for me.
For a time
Nothing can touch me, I fly away
With the notes of the red bird’s song
Carrying me,
For a time
And then I shut the window.
Monroe County Community College, Monroe, MI
Faculty Contact: Vinnie Maltese, Acting Dean of Humanities/Social Sciences
