THE MESSENGER

THE MESSENGER

On a cold winter morning,
a crimson cardinal perched
above Pepper’s dogloo, captured
my attention as tears

flowed down my face.
The messenger lifted
songs of, “Cheer, cheer, cheer,”
and brought hope

to my broken heart.
He assured me that
the cycle of life continues.
Then a dozen birds

landed in the apple tree
bowing over Pepper’s lot.
Males and females sang together:
“Keep the faith.”
--Brenda Kay Ledford

PEPPER

June, 1996-December 28, 2011