A River in Minnesota

[Lizzie]

Ok, so I read (perhaps too much into it) that the scene that you are describing is one that will be cleared away soon. The lone starling, clearing, fly away soon..... and then the mysterious "all of it."

I understand that 'all of it will fly away soon.' I have more questions, but that's assuming that my premise is correct.

White branches
of limited birch settle
the edges of its banks

Small animals,      -- I agree that this seems weak on first read, but it does fit with the smallness of other things you name like the "limited    birch," "foot-high waterfall," "lone starling." Perhaps it could be rephrased?
wrens and sparrows,
pine needles, mossed logs    --all small things except for mossed logs, but I like the assonance in that phrase so I'm torn

A foot-high waterfall,   ----I like how surprising it is to see a reference to such a small waterfall. When I think waterfall, I think Niagra. It's a nice twist.
intrigues a slow current    ---I like the mixing of the slow with the small. The slow current: are you talking about flat water? http://falzguy.com/waterfall.glossary.html)


One lone starling in a clearing
will fly away soon

All of it