Red Bird and White flower

Red bird came all winter
firing up the landscape
as nothing as could.

Of course I love the sparrows,
those dun-colored darlings,
so hungry and so many.

I am a God-fearing feeder of birds.
I know He has many children,
not all of them bold in spirit.

Still, for whatever reason -
perhaps because the winter is so long
and the sky so black-blue,

or perhaps because the heart narrows
as often as it opens -
I am grateful

that red bird comes all winter
firing up the landscape
as nothing else can do.

Poem, Red Bird by Mary Oliver

My white Madagascar Jasmine feels like my red bird. It's flowers are robust, earthy leaves, and divine scent fill the room with life. I am grateful.