Fly Ribbon

the bird holds in its beak
a scrap of pinkish red ribbon.
it is the kind of small ribbon with a little loop
 that is worn frequently now,
especially in this town of many causes,
in the name of some effort that should be remembered,
or not forgotten, or hoped for cared for or supported;
reach in your pocket for the little bird,
sing out her cause for the little chirping children
she will place in the nest she is building with the red ribbon.
sing it out now as she flies away
carrying that cause in the bright promise of the Spring sun
 like the prayers of the zen flying in the wind
winging to the sky undulating up
toward the land of eternal answers
 then down again to the labors of earth
where hope is reborn in this time.