Hidden Beauty

The starling whispers Over the rough grass where I lay A tale of warning and treachery echo from its pointed beak The branch jumps at the starling’s leave The cattails by the water are none like the cat’s tail making patterns in the ground rock in front of me. It looks up boldly I look cautiously It is beautiful but deadly, The poised paws lingering on the edge of decision The velvet limb darts forward and brings nighttime early The stars are bright and many They disappear to show a sliver of an eye hiding in the foilage The shadows bring about the death of day And still the eye is Cloaked by starlight and hidden by moonlight The branches twitch, but I must not Held to where I lay by its gaze Not by fear but by wonder A hand reaches out I recognize it as my own The gold eye disappears and l am left Just me Haunted and reaching For hidden beauty