#cardinal
A flash of red against the gray,
A cardinal perched, gazing my way,
Eyes locked, as if to say, "I'm here,"
A visit from a loved one, crystal clear.
Their spirit lingers, in this fleeting form,
A messenger from beyond the storm,
A symbol of hope, a love so strong,
A reminder that they're never truly gone.
The cardinal's song, a gentle sigh,
Echoes whispers, "I'm with you, don't cry,"
Their presence fills the empty space,
A love that transcends time and place.
In this brief visit, we're reminded true,
Their love remains, forever shining through,
The cardinal's wings, a fleeting guest,
A loved one saying, "I'm with you, you can rest."
Feb 5
Feb 5, 2026 at 9:26 AM UTC
Kept pace enough for super stardom
baring set backs he's set,
lack the vision
but he's starting running back,
Sep 6, 2023
Sep 6, 2023 at 10:38 AM UTC
The holy cardinal said:
who bare rib?
fresh cut new did,
he said -- who is this?
He slowly tread; wrangled thee
there's a 4x4 in his 20/20,
he asked -- “double play?”
the kid ran away
May 31, 2022
May 31, 2022 at 5:52 PM UTC
In the silence of sundown
I do not know how not to quiver,
like leaves that cannot withstand the wind,
I cannot settle.
Stillness is death,
not moving is diffusing.
Like this, directions are pointless but unavoidable
as I escape from the void towards the void.
I have never known that home does not mean disapparition,
but I would, if I could, like to know better.
At the end of the day,
the sunrays leave the last clouds, and
I am still a storm that does not know
a way to dissolve into a blue sky.
Aug 10, 2021
Aug 10, 2021 at 4:35 PM UTC
As he grew he looked and desired,
others had more and he was tired.
Possession became his love and soul,
all those heaps could never fill the hole.
Glimpse the depts to find the cure.
We are here to Endure.
What did they do to deserve what they get?
His heart ached, he could never forget.
He wanted it more, he deserved much better.
He made his mind a filthy place to litter.
Pat your shoulder and reassure.
We are here to Endure.
Shunned by the universe,
he rose in a heroic verse.
Thought everyone else was bleak,
to himself did he lie and cheat.
Admit that you're insecure.
We are here to Endure.
He was hurt and he was blamed
he was never reclaimed.
At every turn he became aggressive.
Offended world would misconceive.
Repent, forgive and feel secure.
We are here to Endure.
Pressure drove him to frustration;
His yearning became his passion.
Disordered desire bind him in slavery.
Suffered he, in shame, sadness and misery.
Redirection is a manure.
We are here to Endure.
Low self esteem put him through hell,
disquiet apatite became his shell.
Departed away from the Divine.
Impoverishment and disgrace is a sign.
Abstinence will seize epicure.
We are here to Endure.
Failure left him without traction;
murmuring the songs of wishful imagination.
Dreams he sought are his anchor,
glued to the couch, he just hanker.
Without diligence you're immature.
We are here to Endure.
Jun 13, 2021
Jun 13, 2021 at 2:22 PM UTC
Heaven sent on vibrant wings
This harbinger of angels sings
Alighting in his crimson splendor,
Comfort to the mournful rendered -
How blessed, the branch that grants him rest
Graced with such a divine guest
Apr 16, 2021
Apr 16, 2021 at 4:08 PM UTC
Endangered bird
Shy, beautiful with sweet song
Bright yellow color
Shell ✨🐚
Mar 28, 2021
Mar 28, 2021 at 8:44 AM UTC
My heart hums melodies of distant birds...
Over yonder, below the big blue
A cardinal croons
A redbird misses you
Over yonder, below the big blue
A yellow bird cries
Warbling “woe is you”
Two birds dance
and skip, and trade in verse
While softly wishing, on the same wire they’d be perched
A dance to court,
Hopeful heartfelt flying nigh
But it’s a bluebird’s kiss
Whose cadence I wish were mine
Jan 4, 2020
Jan 4, 2020 at 11:50 PM UTC
My note on this reads: "shoulda been 01Apr19--begun just after midnight turned"
(sonnet #MMMMMMMDCCCXLI)
The Cardnal called as twere for me in pale
Dawn's early light--just once--as if for sense.
And lo, that line I'd penned in tribute thence
Comes to the 'fore--"...I've got [in sheer betrayl?]
A scarlet lover--" which I swiftly hail
With prayrs of "O! please give me to from hence
A man, LORD!" and how April Fools is't? dense
Wi' import finds "him" where I cherish...bail?
"Say twas an April Fool's joke--" in a poor
'Scuse for my prayrs and hopes keeps rolling through
My mind, but I dare NOT write THAT down. You're
Allowed to laugh. Nor Cardnal, sparrows to
Aught purpose cry...until "he's" gone. I stir
Me to weak smiles, cuz my heart's weary too.
02Apr19a
Apr 5, 2019
Apr 5, 2019 at 9:57 PM UTC
Raindrops glistening
In the springtime air
Blossoming tulips
Resurrect life
Magnificent sound echoes
A song so pure
Its rhythm infectious
Dancing off leaves
Red amongst the trees,
Gentle verses
Sway with the wind
Clarity sets when inhaled
Anticipation of sunrise
With pleasant melodies
Melodic phrases by the pair
More elaborate sung by she
Dedicated to the young
A brief hymn
Tweet with accents
Communicate a need
Attractive calls
Set a dulcet tone
Admired by all
Of whom hear
For the cardinal sings the sweetest tune.
Apr 2, 2019
Apr 2, 2019 at 8:26 AM UTC
...forever I'm certain.
(sonnet #MMMMMMMDCCCXXII)
Come, come, as sparrows chatter for intents,
How lo, the cardnal knows as twere to hail
With just one note, that ha! he's here, in pale
Excuse for watching is't? I'll tell ye hence
What I wish: that he'd come, yes, closer, thence
Be less reserved, and sit upon (to scale)
My shoulder--how I'd love to feel t'avail
His weight, although he'd deafen me for sense.
Dream on, and wish a thousand things in tour,
Cuz breathing sometimes weighs too heavy through
These hours we feel our vanity as twere.
Who warbles from the pine's top, as wont to
Effect some years back when I'd peg out fer
The soft airs all our linen? Say who knew?
28Mar19b
Mar 30, 2019
Mar 30, 2019 at 11:16 PM UTC
Who has picked up pencil colors,
Such deep red colors,
And lighted a little red fire,
on that pine shrub:
Who, O Who, has made
this red cardinal!
On this colorless white
morning, who made my
morning, lucky with red!
© Manan sheel.
Jan 21, 2019
Jan 21, 2019 at 2:45 PM UTC
The cardinal is pecking
in the bird feeder
making cardinal out of seed.
Here I am
looking for a small piece of the divine
inside.
Sep 1, 2018
Sep 1, 2018 at 9:58 AM UTC
The frost is still there,
Throttling the rhododendron leaf,
And ice stalls the dissolve
Of the stone-like snow,
Yet I am happy.
The sun-rays are almost Etruscan,
Filtered low through lace and blind,
Like that ***** of sunset on Irene’s hair
Sad “couleur de feuille-morte”.
Yet it is sultry.
I can open a window
And breathe the warming air
Finches flock close, careless,
Now desperate for food
And pluck menescent fruit
Off an ice-bound branch.
In the distance, a cardinal sings.
Thick drapes are drawn aside
And geraniums strain toward the light.
In a nook outside the door,
An old cat basks on a corner of sun.
He yawns, seeing me, and strolls across the snow.
All nature seems to wait, but poised,
For the final unfettered token.
Will it be a sudden, favonian breeze?
Or the robin’s unrelenting noise?
Telling us, “Winter is broken”?
Aug 2, 2018
Aug 2, 2018 at 10:34 AM UTC
I really wanted to make a more secure case comparing the cardinal to those redcoats of yore, but, ah....
(sonnet #MMMMMMCxxVii)
I have a scarlet lover who, ere pale
First hints of dawn, begins to court, til thence
Smiles and soft laughter thus ensue fr'intents.
His perky voice and deep red coat avail
Long-cherished loves, as I think Brits to scale
So perfect; aye, put on the kettle hence
Tae brew a *** of rosy lea to fence
My porridge, while my cardnal'd sweetly hail.
Wee sparrows are my playmates as they stir
Such happiness as only lovers do.
If Tyler swears he loves me, Shakespeare fer
All that gives me perspective as he'd woo.
Perchance I shall be independent: your
Wish, Baby. But then I will not need you.
30Apr18a
May 2, 2018
May 2, 2018 at 11:46 PM UTC
the partition was posted
almost two years ago
and it stated that a super pair
of creators had to go
lots of folks signed it
lending their ample backing
for he who wanted
the upper echelon's racking
those who aided him have
all been well forgot
yet at the time they were
so expedient to his plot
once he'd achieved
the cardinal's goal
no longer was there a purpose
for a little fish shoal
taking advantage of others
is his kind of game
using they who are wet behind
the ears tame
everyone of them summoned
to do his bidding
and in this salient narration
there's no kidding
Mar 26, 2018
Mar 26, 2018 at 9:23 PM UTC
Cardinal
Oh, Cardinal
You great scarlet bird.
You hop along my porch rail
But you don't say a word.
Defiant
So Defiant
Of nature's camouflage.
There is no way to hide
Your bright red entourage.
Orange
Bright Orange.
Your sharp pointy beak.
Gathers the worms and the seeds
All the meals that you seek.
Feed
Feed her.
This mate that you court.
Such a noble young man
You dance and cavort.
Sing
Sing sweet
You and your friends
I'll love your songs every morning
'Til winter comes 'round again.
Babies
Your babies
I'll meet them come next year.
When in the Fall, they'll alight on my porch
And bring my morning's cheer.
Cardinal
Oh, Cardinal
I'm so glad you're here, you see.
I knew your parents and now you have come
Singing just for me.
Mar 14, 2018
Mar 14, 2018 at 3:02 PM UTC
A splash of red against the wall of white
He stands: still and stark in the silent snow.
The sun strikes the new fallen snow
And light dances from a million crystals and more.
Sensing no danger, he calls for his mate.
With a voice strong and clear and sweet he sings for her
To feast on winter berries and sunflower seeds,
Keeping eye and ear out as his bride feeds.
Together forever these two they shall be:
When they mate, they mate for life you see.
Here he stands upon the fence, ever faithful ever true:
Dressed in ruby regalia, he looks at me and you.
Feb 17, 2018
Feb 17, 2018 at 11:40 AM UTC
He's known to flip a bat on occasion,
it's blatant
-- radiating cool kid,
a mutant?
Jul 27, 2017
Jul 27, 2017 at 8:22 PM UTC
There was a bird flying above my head the other day.
I apologize for my stories delay.
The sun was out, the skies were blue - only quick glances today would do.
There is just something about birds, the way they cut through the sky.
Ugh. I wish I could fly.
My Grandmother absolutely loved birds - Cardinals specifically.
I have a few on my arm, so she and my Papa will never leave me.
They have been gone for quite a few years now...wow, how time flies.
Writing this is even bringing tears to my eyes.
I think that's why I like birds so much - I imagine they are my Grandparents.
Soaring the sky, exploring the world, checking in on me every now and then.
The year he left us, the Cardinals won the World Series.
The year she left us, the Cardinals lost the World Series.
Good one, Papa - I'm sure Grandma didn't appreciate your joke.
Each time you fly over me it brings a smile to my face and a tear to my eye, knowing you'll fly over me until the day I die.
Jun 9, 2016
Jun 9, 2016 at 4:17 PM UTC