Red flags and more

Since we put up these flags, 

The number of birds who fly into our windows 

 And drop, lifeless, to the deck below 

Has happily dropped to zero — 

And that is something to celebrate, 

It is, 

But their cheery fluttering in the wind 

Implies a joyfulness it’s hard to feel these days. 

I like to think the flags are there to keep me — 

As they do the birds — 

From slamming into the hard wall of reality; 

To remind me there’s still joy and life 

 And color in the world; 

That there are still many reasons to celebrate, 

Not least of which is knowing 

We’re not the only ones who are working 

To care for and protect the lives around us.