The call comes
shrill at first,
scattering the brittle
   light --
then notes follow:
a sad, reminiscent
   melody.
Bird, why have you
   stayed?
Why have you stayed?
Winter wraps the air
   so close,
and cold.
Pine trees and fir
the only sentinels
to guard against
   storm and night.
Bird, why have you
   stayed?
Sharp wings cut
through snowfall:
the sky is full
   of white!
What do you remember --
what do you remember here?
Bird, why have you stayed...