a sparrow

i never looked outside
as much as i do
now

i mean
i loved the sunset
all orange and fire

since way back

and i stared
at water's waves
as they lapped the land
into submission

since i was young

but i never looked
so closely
at what surrounded
me before

life underscored
by silence makes you
long for the patience

of the untamed

is that a sparrow
at my window?

it's not a robin
all red from pride
and importance

it's not a turkey
because i'm not
salivating for gravy
to go with it

it's not a blackbird
because i'm not
singing to it in
yesterday's tune

a sparrow it is
alive and free

just a few inches
away from me

i sit 
and watch it fly

(goodbye)