Gouldian finch

Its feathers brushed against the smooth-barked eucalypt trunk 

Filling the thick, humid air with its delicate call

It flittered over

To where I kneel in the dry spinifex grass 

Expanding its wings to display its true colours 

Contrasting against the Kimberley dirt 

Feathers painted with acrylics

Scarlet red, sunny yellow, sky blue, pale mauve.

A short visit 

But enough.

And when it escaped into the midday sky 

My heart fluttered along with it.

Goodbye,

The Gouldian finch.