A Cardinal Encounter

Behind a fence were piles of leaves The trees had lately shed And as I passed, my eye picked up A flash of something red. I stopped and looked and out it popped, An unexpected sight – A cardinal, enrobed in red, Which filled me with delight. I don’t believe, as many do, This sighting signified A visit from the dead or that Good luck was thus implied. I rarely see this bird, though, Yet my morning did begin With a cardinal encounter Nowhere near the Vatican.