[net.poems] Nightingale

szabo@apollo.uucp (11/21/85)

     Nightingale 


The sun pours in
on her only -
finding a need
for its warmth

She sings into
the soft white space
surrounding her -
hospital walls
  holding a willful heart

The quiet courage
moves me to listen
for the sound of God
rustling among the sheets

Leslie walks among young soldiers
comforting the weary
holding vigil with the wounded
she touches them with healing
  and hope

Holding hands
we stand poised at the boundary
on the verge of the sky
then gracefully, we arc from the window
and fly