Memorial Day

Framed by the white plastic of the kitchen window, a portrait of feathered friends bathing together in the waters of life. Blue, red, robin, and wren sharing a statuesque perch, each drinking from the shell-shaped reservoir filled by the gift of a recent hard-spring rain. “Red or yellow, black or white, they are precious in His sight…” ripples of Sunday memories disturbed the surface of my stillness. A Black gunner, A Puerto Rican NR2 commander, A Caucasian driver, and a young Sergeant of Vietnamese heritage… a photo framed by newsprint. Roosting together in their heroism atop an armored vehicle - birds of a different feather, flocking together, where storms of lead reign and reservoirs fill with blood. Sacred moments of reflection - my silence rippled by the melody of the cell phone. A Cherokee friend, calling to sing the birthday song.