I flew by a greening bush
hiding a bouquet of birds
and scared them all away,
save one,

her eyes— cool blue steel—
stared from the shade.
She fluttered out, falling
under my brooding wings,

her pupils—exposed
to the sun— burned away,
revealing flames hidden inside

which danced to the same orange
tune as her feathers, like the black hearts
of her eyes were meant to be eclipsed in fire

consuming every shadow of doubt
shrouding my thoughts

Will I wait and watch? Will I
hurt and hope? Brave bird, I whisper,
yes.