A Cardinal Bright Poem by Leria Hawkins

Locked away and rarely fed
A cardinal bright in beauty red
Sings in spite the rusted cage
Woven round by fire and rage

Forever bound to love's duress
Silver stains her feathered dress
Yet in her weary soulful cries
Still is heard, love's lullaby

The rustle of her tattered wings
Like a harp with golden strings
She whispers in the perfect measure
Spilling secrets of a treasure

Standing firm she hides the pain
Trilling verses just the same
Searching for the shooting star
That holds the passion of her heart

Held like diamonds in her dreams
The soothing taste of honeyed cream
Tomorrow's dawn so far away
She recollects the thrill today

A wink of what life used to be
Carried on in memories
Tucked away beneath her wings
All the while…she sings, she sings