[image error]Pexels.com" data-medium-file="https://catrussellwriter.wordpress.co..." data-large-file="https://catrussellwriter.wordpress.co..." src="https://catrussellwriter.wordpress.co..." alt="" class="wp-image-3159" style="width:458px;height:auto" />Photo by paul jousseau on Pexels.com“like birds”

as I view the birds outside my window
separated by mere inches of glass,
as I view their vibrant dark silhouettes
and bright reds against the snow like drops of
blood, as I view the yellow and green false
flowers on my windowsill. I always
light three candles just because I love them,
the way they light the darkness. he pleads, bring
them back, bring back my light.
I wonder if

these three flames serve a double purpose on
this day, if these birds that survive winter
to live, feed, and sing despite the freezing
cold--dare I say it when I can barely
bare to think it...
do your souls fly high as

these winged messengers in the bright blue
above my home?
will you return to yours

by way of something other than a box?

#

*Originally written in the hope that the beautiful Bibas brothers, 9-month old Kfir and 4-year old Ariel, would be returned home alive. Since they were not, it now serves double duty–like the candles themselves–hoping for the safe return from Gaza of over fifty hostages–among them the only American left living, 21-year old Edan Alexander.

*Thankyou for visiting my blog. More of my writing can be found on my Patreon . Stay safe, be kind, and read often.