I Tell Myself I Do It For the Birds - For Contest

I tell myself I do it for the birds. They gather together around flameless fires feeding on warmth’s memory, chattering amid the blowing leaves, feathers puffed against the cold. Their beauty undimmed by the stark dark and light of barrenness their songs no less beautiful in the echoless emptiness, their presence – undiminished. Quietly, I leave a gift, mixed seed to welcome all sustenance to those who share a loneliness in winter, a scarcity of caring the fading heat of flameless fires. I tell myself I do it for the birds. 10/18/2015 submitted to – For the Birds – poetry contest sponsor – Anthony Slausen