Christ of the Birds

Amid the crumpled grays and browns

of these late December leaves,

scattered and muted on cold-laden grass,

juncos come in mass, hop the ground here about,

for seed, for moisture, for life in itself –

their slate-colored bodies instantiating

a beauty so subtle, a glory all but hidden,

small and flitting through the dull

of this dusk-fallen hour.

Christ of the birds of this world

came down, came down,

to birth, to death, to winter among us,

wanting sorely to be graced,

even as juncos under heaven.

Christ of the birds, Christ of all creatures,

come again, come again.