Quetzal

Phoenix, burning cool in moon-dark,

flew into my imagination,

totem, other,

guiding what quest?

Steady eyes masked in gold,

Inquisitive, delicate crest,

olive iridescent with midnight,

so still I reached

to touch its quiet power,

exploding dazzling red,

it soared to perch

like flame above my head!

The scarlet of its wings,

the bold unwinking gaze,

will haunt my dreams

with wonder all my days!

© Tamara Rasmussen 2018