Cardinal Spirit

Cardinal Spirit

Cherry red, in snow covered tree,

Cardinal spirit visits me.

Social bird, sadly alone,

Perched in tree behind my home.

Winters mourning, with twilight’s birth,

In cold he sings, all puffed in girth.

Throughout the day, he bides his time,

expectant wait, for song in rhyme.

Conscious whispers, find my ears,

from father gone, so many years.

Visit your mother, was his plea,

Empathic feelings, whispered to me.

Never knowing what life brings,

I visit mother, with heartfelt things.

Arriving early, mid afternoon,

surprised to find emotions strewn.

Her spirit appeared so far away,

Though a pleasant time we had that day.

With tears in eyes, yet very caring,

though why she cried, she was not sharing.

Ninety years old, tired and alone,

All she wanted, was to go back home.

Empathic nod, I understood,

as memories flood from childhood.

Our visit ended, we said goodbye,

She smiled at me with tear in eye.

Arriving home, deep in thought,

I watch the birds, and Cardinals spot.

He flies to me, on window’s bay,

The song he sings, soothes my day.

The evening reigns, his vibrant sound,

Chasing blues and sorrows crowned.

When sunset casts its evening shroud,

Cardinal sings, return is vowed.

Night brings sleep to weary eyes,

Old dreams pass, with greying skies.

At three AM, I’m suddenly roused,

It’s chateau place, where mum is housed.

The news is sad…mum passed away.

I reflect on time we spent that day.

Pain and sorrow bites with grief,

My systems flush with no relief.

Mourning gathers, Cardinals return,

on window sill, emotions churn.

Eyes meet mine, understanding fate,

for there behind, his new found mate.

She hops to window, looks inside,

Chirping brightly, old soul and bride.

Together they sing a hopeful song,

bestowing strength, to keep me strong.

At that moment, memory recalls,

the story she told me at Twin Falls.

The spirits of loved ones will visit you,

and appear as Cardinals, to see you through.

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About this Poem:

It is said that the spirit of a loved one comes to visit through the guise of a Cardinal. The Poem “Cardinal Spirit” is dedicated to my late mother and father.