Programed mockingbirds

singing dark memes of giants

on vast waves of air

New Era of shame

for questioning narratives

ordained by moguls

Winter rain washes

urban air, cement and dust

a flora cocktail

Red-tailed hawk attack

crow-beak  stab to red-tailed wing

free-fall flash away

Animal beings

cross her path sporadically

each juncture life’s kiss

Another bright day

this winter of global fear

waking to songbirds

Like movie flashbacks

coastal heat waves jump winter

briefly back to June

What will happen now

in the winter of empires

masked and hidden chill

Black phoebe’s homage

at the foot of stone Buddha

eyes filled with hunger

Eleven pigeons

another street lamp lifts five

and one holds one gull