A Collective of Wings
For the Faculty of River Valley
by
Radiance Angelina Petro

On my morning walk, I got to wondering
whether when I say: “Good morning,” to one starling
I’m actually saying “Good morning,” to all starlings.
Same with the robins, the wrens, the blue jays.
It would make sense that it would be so—that they
live one sharing of thoughts and heartbeats, one sky,
one future, one rhythm.  And as I round the bend
where the cornfield sways with the sun on its mind,
a flock of starlings banks left, then right, then lifts high
into the air.  And I can’t help but smile at the miracle
of how we do the same.  Look at us—every morning—
lifting from our separate branches, homing in towards
the same field–one daring, collective of wings.