by Mary Ellen Talley

She becomes a fleece-framed picture window

flung open to early morning panorama.

See her fist grip the camera—thumb steady

and index finger brings the zoom to sight

what’s perched high on a neighbor’s redbud tree.

What bird? Chirr-up. Chirr-up. Orange breast. House finch?

It’s not Spring yet and few leaves have sprouted

so she might snap the bird to find its name.

Head back, she tries to hold her aim,

extends the lens which aggravates

the tremor in her wrist. Bright bird.

But jitter dives the camera down—

all she photographs are branches

and tail feathers against blue sky.

Mary Ellen Talley’s poems have been published in journals including Gyroscope, Deep Wild, and Banshee as well as in multiple anthologies. She has three chapbooks: “Postcards from the Lilac City” from Finishing Line Press, “Taking Leave” from Kelsay Press, and “Infusion” online at Red Wolf Journal. Her website is maryellentalley.com.