What are they saying, the birds
coasting at sunset, getting ready for bed,
dive-bombing into darkened trees where you heard
them fold their wings, or is that in your head?
Coasting at sunset, almost ready for bed,
their spread wings fan out, shadowing earth,
preening their wings—also in your head?—
soft feathers embracing the nest beneath,
their spread wings shadow the earth.
Asleep, their quiet breathing the music of heaven,
belly feathers embracing the nest beneath.
Why not reinvent earth as continual even-
song, small singers calling it a night,
nesting in the blackened trees where you heard
them chirp, trill, chuckle, and turn off the light.
What are they trying to say, the birds?
—Peggy R. Ellsberg
You have a decision to make: double or nothing.
For this week only, a generous supporter has offered to fully match all new and increased donations to First Things up to $60,000.
In other words, your gift of $50 unlocks $100 for First Things, your gift of $100 unlocks $200, and so on, up to a total of $120,000. But if you don’t give, nothing.
So what will it be, dear reader: double, or nothing?
Make your year-end gift go twice as far for First Things by giving now.
