by Karla Linn Merrifield
Two male cardinals call out
from adjacent territories in the palmettos,
earnest, persistently cheering.
The subtropical forests sirs
with the crimson song of Floridian dawn.
Their scarlet duet summons
the sun into my eyes.
I see red; I blush.
Karla Linn has 16 books to her credit. Her newest poetry collection, My Body the Guitar, was nominated for the 2022 National Book Award. She is a frequent contributor to The Songs of Eretz Poetry Review. Visit her website at karlalinnmerrifield.org; her blog at karlalinnmerrifeld.wordpress.com; and find her on Facebook at facebook.com/karlalinn.merrifield.
