Drained of color, the January afternoon

sits sullen in corner of the backyard.

The contagion of bleakness

spreads to the house and its

quieted inhabitants,

and slips down the street

until all are infected

with dreariness.

Out of the gray sky one blaze of crimson soars,

followed by another and another.

Soon the yard fills with cavorting cardinals

as they partake of tiny black

seeds left in hopes

of such a winged rescue

from the winter’s gloom

and monochromatic haze.

Color now fills the day as the fiery

birds dart and dash through

the once bare limbs,

carrying their glory

through the windows

as we watch with palms

to glass, entranced,

enriched with their gift.