At the shore, they shed their cloaks
standing grey and black
with cheerful crests
the cardinals dance and dive
inquisitive in their steps
they follow our path, ever hopeful
quiet as they dip from side-to-side
watching the human scenery
as if we were the spectacle
in the face of nature’s beauty and might
at the shore, they wait
as we await the tides
questioning our movements with their eyes
at the shore they flit
fickle on location
as we become fixed stars
within their world – Caroline A. Slee