A Ghost Bird

The Ghost Bird
Pioneer Trail, Aurora, OH

Emerging from the trees—a ghost in flight.

I swerved, was startled by the sudden sight

Of such a bird. It flew with ancient grace

And slicing speed—perhaps a hawk in chase?

But no. This bird was far too large. No hawk

I've seen before could cause the shock

That this bird did. An eagle? Could it be?

In this small wood along old Pioneer

With schools and athletic fields so near?

Nor could it be a buzzard, though the span

Of wings was buzzard-broad, much wider than

A hawk’s. There were no dangling legs, the kind

A heron shows in flight. All things combined?

It was a ghost. Some prehistoric thing

Awakens after eons, then takes wing

Across the road, and quickly soars beyond,

Allowing only moments to respond,

And leaving us in arms of wonder. Oh,

I'm dazzled by the things I fail to know.

My eyes direct me to what matters most,

And all I think is that I’ve seen a ghost.

Beside a different road—some mourning doves

Discuss their daily needs, their fears, their loves.

They seem to coo as we glide nearly by—

Perhaps they’ve seen that ghost there in the sky?

First, I got a meaty grubstake.

Then I ordered juicy club steak.

[grubstake = to provide with material assistance (as a loan) for launching an enterprise or for a person in difficult circumstances]

Shakespeare Couplet:  Romeo and Juliet

“If they do see thee, they will murder thee,”

Warns Juliet, but he declines to flee. (2.2)