"Sonnet for my Skull Dove"

As I woke one morning, you came to me

Bathing thyself in water and bright sun.

The nighttime battles were crueler to thee

Than those, I thought, my dreams could have undone.

Feathers ripped down to the bone beyond the flesh

Would have been the doom to any other,

And I felt certain I would watch your breath

Vanish –– just as mine had done, my brother.

But here we stood, bleeding in morning air.

Another day unfolding before us.

You brought the tattered peace so I could bear

Returning to a faith in honest trust.

Your damaged beauty filled my heart with love

Oh! thank you for this sight, my dear Skull Dove.