Bring Down the Babies

Morning.
Quiet as church.
Out on the grass thousands
of feathers like blankets
of snow.
The day drifted, gliding
on white doves and hymns,
a bazaar of voices
opening doors.
Bring down the babies.
Mother stood, face and palms
skyward.
Above ancient branches
the wind whirls, a wonderland of birds
flying wild.

Charlotte Hamrick’s poetry and prose has been published in numerous online and print journals, most recently including Olentangy Review, Right Hand Pointing, and Blue Five Notebook/Blue Fifth Review. She has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize and was a finalist for the 15th Glass Woman Prize. She lives in New Orleans with her husband and a menagerie of rescued pets.