The Wardrobe’s Best Dressed: Holy Sparks by Diana Woodcock

---

Watching Zebras and Doves

Northern end near the pyramid-
shaped Sheraton, a small population
of Zebra doves resides and breeds,
getting everything they need
from gardens and grounds

around the hotel. Most likely
descendants of escaped caged birds,
fending for themselves now,
seeking out seeds and insects.
Geopelia striata from Southeast Asia—

slender, black and white on brown
upperparts. Watching them, taking
my time, Africa still on my mind,
I recall the Burchell’s zebras,
observed just days ago grazing

the savanna, and doves—
Red-eyed, Laughing, Emerald-
spotted, Wood, Cape Turtle,
African Mourning adorning
the bush with grace.

Watching zebras and doves,
one begins to believe again,
to understand why the ancients
worshipped animals and birds.
These gentle ones hurt no one,

take only enough to subsist,
are neither greedy nor needy,
ask nothing of anyone. Oh,
to approach the world with such
non-aggression and clear vision.