Monday, April 11, 2005

The Flight

there were 3 deaths once removed,
a very sick cat,
2 births to come,
and a free bird.

the cat and the bird are mine. the life and death stuff are everyone elses.

the cat:
a stray,
down by half,
so sick it wouldn't eat,
when i petted it...
still clenched
its
fist
in a weak smile.
hasten natures process
by killing it
ourselves.

the three deaths:
a cousin,
grandmother,
father.
expected-
all 3.
but when
was another matter.
there were
final goodbyes.

2 births:
2 friends
in tandem
grow out
and in
a foot moves upon
the flesh
the flesh
the readiness
all.

the bird:
oh, morning dove.
through the window-
with a thud and flutter,
yell: Cats!
and downy feathers spread
waft,
on down the hall.
the bird in hand
into 3am air
blink-
beautiful
night.
and down on the cool ground
oh, bird!
and breath.
with a chortle
takes flight
and lives.

3 comments:

bruckner said...

You might want to check your margains.

Somebody's Mom said...

life: death/birth. A cliche when it's on Lost, but in the real world it is comforting. My co-worker has planned a trip to Boston, attend a Dylan concert and visit her Godparents, who she hadn't seen for years: She got a call on Saturday, her God father had died. He was 91, how could he have gotten so old and not live until she visited in a week. She will still visit and I told her that her Godmother will appreciate her youthful presence. Project of the hour, how to protect at least a few of the peaches from the munching of the clever squirrels?

mendacious said...

penelope! these people are out of control! where are you! i mean they're talking about peaches and margains for godsake.