black-throated sparrow,
feed me with your light-seed
a tap-crack opening on the sill—
my prints smudge the glass
the ghosts of my lips, fingertips,
press the pane—
your bride’s pale blue eggs
in the scrub, your song
a tinkling bell, twittering dub—
sing, ace of spades, sing—
cut through the tie of my tongue
with your song—
live down your name
© 2025 jennifer wagner
It’s April and that means poetry month once again! This poem refers to writer’s block, which I am hoping to avoid since I am challenging myself to commit to posting more poetry this month. I don’t know if I will be doing this as a daily practice, but we’ll see as my days allow. And, since I love birds, I’m also challenging myself to include more of them, or an aspect of them, in these April poems.
The black-throated sparrow is also referred to as a desert sparrow. The black patch on its throat resembles the black spade on a playing card. It has a delightful song despite its name.