The very idea of a bird is a symbol
and a suggestion to the poet.
A bird seems to be at the top of the scale,
so vehement and intense his life. . . .
The beautiful vagabonds, endowed
with every grace, masters of all climes,
and knowing no bounds how many
human aspirations are realised
in their free, holiday-lives
and how many suggestions to
the poet in their flight and song!

John Burroughs (1837 - 1921)
Birds and Poets, 1887

Still on the bird paper. Slow going. How to handle sources? reference? ey yi yi. It is no way going to be perfect (let alone right). But I have to get this thing done. Have been reading about angels and the Angelic Choir. The Angelic Choir is a medieval method of ordering angels according to their jobs/roles and proximity to God. Cool. Wonderfully obtuse and thick...perfect for those with time and silence on hand...needing something very embroidered to ponder. Also learned a bit about those terrific winged Assyrians (good examples at the Met) and their roles as protectors. They often carry the bucket and cone? Bucket and cone? you ask? The great purifying tools for the Assyrians. Wow. Out there. I think I might be an assyrian protector with a bucket and cone for halloween. No one would guess!

Back to my ring of hell(sources,etc.).