The evening chirps of turkeys
are almost as refreshing
as the coolness that hasn’t come yet
(though I expect it soon)
— something like the sound
of bright cold water drops

I know enough by now about their language —
this chirping is the dialog of mom and chicks:
I am here and you are here —
let’s gather in this place
and call it home —
we are safe when we are here with you,
you are safe with me

They’ll fly up later into trees,
the mama birds will spread their wings,
the chicks will snuggle in.
The cooling night will magnify their coziness,
its quietude a lullaby for them.

©Wendy Mulhern
July 23, 2018