Backyard Bird Counting

February morning I face the brittle air
checklist in mittened hand
and count
two male Dark-eyed Juncos
one Northern Cardinal, male
a flock of Black-capped Chickadees.
I estimate forty
flying west
mindful of the growing dawn.

Lara Dolphin is a recovering attorney, novice nurse, and full-time mother of four amazing kids; she is exhausted and elated most of the time.