Joe Cottonwood I was raised by birds primarily robins who listen to earth whose gain is worm’s loss. I was taught by chickadees each given a crown of black or brown sometimes chattering upside down. I was lullabied by wood thrush whose song a burbling brook taught metaphor before I knew. I was guarded by blue jay who never spoke of love who broke a wing tip attacking the hungry snake yet brought seeds of sunflower who pushed my butt as I grew until at last I flew.
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