an entry

from A Literal Guide to Metaphorical Sayings

“A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush”

In the bush, two birds
voices like twin flutes
wings golden
marks on their breasts like crimson hearts
legendary
beautiful
out of reach.
In the hand, a bird
brown barred and white
trembling, warm
heart beating faster than a stopwatch
real
present
a miracle.