Today it wasn't a cardinal that crossed my path but an American goldfinch not buff but canary yellow unmistakably male first alighting on burdock and then pumping himself into a pine having greeted the cardinal in similar ways in days gone by I was prepared for the surprise of the wild canary and paused to take in this little gift sure to keep the ribbon and the wrappings with the image and the feelings tucked into the pocket of my anorak safe with my notebook there to trigger my memory were she forgetful or stubborn beyond the forgivable laziness and Spanish onion skin that is memory.