Silent arrow, violet-green,
Iridescent aubergine;
Ascendancy in pointed wing,
Shield of white, emblazoning;
Zephyr's whispered confidant—
Gliding grace o'er azure haunt;
Plummets lightning's path to vale,
Up again, on forked exhale!
Radiant phantom, vanquishing
The vault of heaven, spiraling—
O, mesmerizing ricochet,
You fairly take my breath away!
Satin gleams on sheathed trapeze,
Plumage preens in streamlined frieze;
Glistening sponge to morning sun
Soaks the visceral ganglion—
Transient pearl, edifier,
Incorporates pulsating wire;
Then black shade mocks winged precision—
The taunt assails in screeched derision!
On feathers sleek, transcendent spread,
Where bold courageous dreams are led,
To hawk's domain, O luminous dart,
You soar and pull my timorous heart!
Spark of brilliance, golden tail,
Flows into the vacuous grail—
Crossing clouds of angel's wing,
Deafening silence, echoing—
Through swirling mists of murmured ire,
Surrenders to empyrean fire;
On virtuous flush, you take the kiss,
Across the ray of sun-filled bliss.
Gird me fast, providential spirit,
Then journey home, as it is writ,
Out of sight, to Love retrace—
You leave my soul in rapturous grace!
– Jennifer van Westrum