White-Eyes

 In winter

all the singing is in

the tops of the trees

where the wind-bird

with its white eyes

shoves and pushes

among the branches

Like any of us

he wants to go to sleep

but he's restless

he has an idea,

and slowly it unfolds

from under his beating wings

as long as he stays awake

But his big, round music, after all,

is too breathy to last.

So, it's over.
    

In the pine-crown

he makes his nest,

he's done all he can.

I don't know the name of this bird,

I only imagine his glittering beak

tucked in a white wing

while the clouds—

which he has summoned

from the north—

which he has taught

to be mild, and silent—

thicken, and begin to fall

into the world below

like stars, or the feather

of some unimaginable bird

that loves us,
 

that is asleep now, and silent—

that has turned itself

into snow.

Mary Oliver

 Winter 5, encaustic etc on found panel,  6x14in, 2013

 found panel