Bat Crossing

by Amanda Johnston

10 million bats, 

20 million little wings 

flutter out from under 

the Congress Street Bridge 

in the blue-pink ombré of dusk. 

The photo in the Austin airport 

captured the moment so perfectly 

I had to take a pic. 

In the frantic airport traffic,  

millions of little feet about to soar,

I stop and fumble with my phone—

apps, angles, my tiny desire 

to witness. The man sees me, 

stops, and waits. A flock of people 

moves around us. He waits, and for 

a few seconds, we hover on a tiny 

cloud of kindness. I get the shot 

and we float on. 

Praise the little moments of seeing. 

Praise the pause and patience we share 

in the pixelated moments of life.