~~~~~
Happy Poetry Friday, friends. As I have spent week after week reading poems and lurking from afar, this week I decided to answer Christie’s poem challenge and join in on the fun by posting my first Poetry Friday poem today. As Christie stated, it can be about any bird and any type of poem. I hope you’ll fly on over to her page, Wondering and Wandering, to read more poetry or even join in on the celebration.
~~~~~
I don’t look for you,
yet you appear.
Appear where I never would suspect.
Perhaps you are looking for me,
or watching over me.
I am unsure.
But when I see you,
I am reminded of our friendship,
our stories,
our laughter.
When I see you,
I smile.
I tell you I’m glad you came along,
I’m glad you’re here.
While you’re not with me anymore,
you’re with me.
My sign,
my sign of the cardinal.
~~~~~
A cardinal is a representative of a loved one who has passed. When you see one, it means they are visiting you. They usually show up when you most need them. They also make an appearance during times of celebration as well as despair to let you know they will always be with you. Look for them; they will appear!
Runner, Reader, & Rockin' Mom 
Lovely touching poem Amy. I’m familiar with the connection cardinals have with ones we have lost. I have a cardinal journal and sketchbook in my online Esty Shop that a number of people have purchased–in memory of ones they have lost.
I thoroughly enjoy the cardinals who visit my feeders, but I had no idea that they were associated with loved ones who have passed. What a lovely thought and one that you’ve captured so nicely in your poem. I’m so glad you accepted Christie’s challenge this week!
What a lovely photo and poem. The female cardinal is also handsome, if less flashy. We have a pair who live in my yard. Perhaps they are looking after us. Thanks for that sweet thought that brought tears to my eyes.
I like the voice in your poem, “I tell you I’m glad you came along,”. I grew up with this story in Missouri, loving the cardinals. They do not fly so far west to Colorado & I miss them. Welcome to Poetry Friday!
I didn’t know that about cardinals, but I have always loved their visits! Thanks for bravely joining us this week — I hope you do it again!
Cardinals are so beautiful! Thanks for sharing this. Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
I did not know that about the cardinal. Thanks for sharing the info and the beautiful poem.
We have a pair that visit my back porch sometimes. I didn’t know about the connection to those we have lost! Thank you for sharing and welcome to Poetry Friday! I hope you keep posting!
Welcome to Poetry Friday! Your poem is lovely.
Welcome, Amy. It is great having you as a new member of the PF community. I was touched by your poem and the afterword. I never knew the story behind the cardinal and wish I could remember when I saw it on my fence. Perhaps, it was a sign from above that my mother was at peace.