Now that you are almost Sparrow

For Fran

Now that you are
Almost Sparrow
There are breadcrumbs
For you everywhere.

Breadcrumbs you fed to
The other sparrows
Years of gifts
To the least of them
Humbly offered
Here they are now
Miraculous
Stockpiled up for you
Energy for your flight.

The breadcrumbs
And the pieces
You are falling into
Are all singing now
Sparrow parliament in the trees
Riotous at dawn and dusk
As you allow yourself
Lust and love of Spring
And Stardust
As you allow yourself
Perfection
All the simple finishing touches
Beating all the odds
Having had your good say
In the conversation of the world.

Now that you are
Always Sparrow.

                                                                               -- New York, March 2010