Two Birds

a crow flew over ancient ruins 

               at the edge

of the western world.

what was this place

    he asked the pigeon.

                she told him

there were joyous celebrations here

families and friends on days of rest

with picnics and swimming and laughter

in large houses of glass

built to capture the ocean 

and tame it for playing.

you can't tame the ocean for playing 

   said the crow.

              she liked that.

I think you’re right

   said the pigeon.

what happened to this place

    asked the crow.

fire

   said the pigeon.

fire burned downed glass houses full of water

    asked the crow.

a great fire

   said the pigeon.

why would they build such a silly thing
in such a beautiful place
   asked the crow.

perhaps the reason you landed here
was to appreciate the beauty
that can inspire such a silly thing
   said the pigeon.

                 he liked that.

I think you’re right

   said the crow.

well then

let us have our own joyous celebration

of family and friends on a day of rest

   said the pigeon.

and afterwards

we can start a great journey

to look for beautiful places

where you can build silly things

   said the crow.

wonderful

   said the pigeon.

and so

two birds

in joyous celebration

started their journey

together

as they flew over ancient ruins 

                at the edge

of the western world.

for andrea and jordan,   8/10/2013

Ken Owen,   Van Niddy Press,   August 2013