...And so a little unsettled I left the chittering byrd behind.

It scuttled away.

I heard the voice of Aidan

Saying

"the Byrd appeared to be friendly"

I wasn't so sure.

----- # -----

Insects droned.

A dragonfly clattered past and

I followed through purple heather.

Downhill 

Weaving through reeds and rushes.

Soft underfoot.

I came upon a wide and stately river.

Slow.

On the far bank 

dazzling white

stood a Byrd of a very different feather...

It was preening but as I approached 

it froze,

fixed me with a cautious eye.

The air grew thick.
I turned my head to catch new sounds;
Kicked my old brown boots
 through the sand;      
  Looked around.
Focus.
 Focused.
With a scritch and scratch
 agitating and irritating
A darkling Fantastical Byrd puffed up its chest and
chuntered.            
"You're different. Why are you here?"                      
"Everybody's got to be somewhere."

But it was time to move on.

Droplets fell from the brim of my hat,

which steamed

gently in the rising sun.

"Follow me"

I followed and soon came upon a second

Fantastical Byrd,

in her piety.

Andrew's Fantastical Byrds

Evolution of an Art Project

The Back Story

The Earth shuddered and shook.

I staggered. I stumbled and fell.

Dark thunder flashed dazzling torrents, stinging my face and arms

and I tried to hide under my hat...

In time

calm and mists folded

amber gold and warm.

I stepped inside and there

before me 

a strange fantastical byrd appeared.

Softly, "I've been waiting...

                                                       for you."