Unnatural Companions

 

Unnatural Companions

The dogs and I startled

a flock of mourning doves

from the cover of bare branches.

They flew off in pairs

clucking twirtles of disruption

and fluttered to the tree

lying beyond our fence.

Its roots rise in the frozen air

but the boughs still offer shelter

for startled doves

and feral cats

as we all seek comfort

and wait together

for the coming of spring.