—Einojuhani Rautavaara, Cantus arcticus, Op. 61 (Concerto for Birds and Orchestra)

Humans
calling like birds.

Humans in black gowns or tails with white shirts
who channel their breath through
flutes and oboes made with human hands,
who call like swans or larks in the bog.

The humans know
they are not birds.

The birds know, too.
Still they come
when the conductor raises
his white wand.