Holiness in Red
Holiness in Red
A gift appeared out my window this morning
A cardinal came to visit
Again
Nearly every day I take up this place for morning devotions he is there perched atop the brown entanglement of dormant lilac branches
against the backdrop of equally-drab pillars of oak and maple
leaning in the same direction as though trudging off in search of warmer weather
limbs devoid of their green leaves
which have long since gone into hibernation
If I’m lucky, I’ll “catch” him
For if I stare out the window looking for him, he is not there
Only when I resume my activity - and suddenly look up - can I hope to see him
showing off a splash of vibrant crimson
as if to revel in the attention he knows I’m giving him
As long as I stop what I’m doing and admire him he remains in all his regal dignity
More than once, I have reached for my phone – slowly, carefully, quietly –
hoping to record his presence for my own future enjoyment
But every time
as if sensing my movement through the glass barrier that separates us
off he flutters
We play this game regularly, he and I, and he is usually the victor
Once I did it though!
I clicked at just the right time to provide proof of his elusive presence
Yet when I opened the photo app, I dejectedly pressed delete
Nothing of the majesty and beauty recorded in my mind and memory was present there
So... I will resume my position in this rocker again
And I’ll settle for watching and waiting
for his next appearance
For he is out there
just beyond the edges of my view
of this I am sure
Preparing to take up his familiar perch
Among the barrenness and brokenness that is my view
And bringing to them his uniquely creative burst of crimson
Perhaps I will “catch him” again
Michael E. Karunas
Monday, January 18
2021