Anna and the Pigeon

Snow settled perfectly, like moments
of clarity, covering cobbled streets
and the sound of harness bells,
when through an open window
of the restaurant a pigeon flew,
heart-lost and cold, lighting
clumsily on the delicate shoulder
of the dancer. When she held the bird
in her hands, dull wings stirred
the superstitious air. Then a man
she did not know took it from her
and set it free.
On New Year's Eve.
They drank much wine
and sadly took their leave.

Copyright © 2004 Vanessa Haley All rights reserved
from The Logic of Wings
Cherry Grove Collections
Reprinted by Verse Daily® with permission