count them

with bird

isabelline wheatear bird on a shrub

What after that wind flies? There goes one harpy. Now another. Repeat. They fall back later, to resume the docile pose of downy chicks in hand, two at a time.

After, one wonders. What this means if you consider the ratio of handheld bird to idea of those remaining in the bush? Look around then, sense a feather of presence. But now is one of those times when counting will not hold so maybe later but who knows. Was now always so hard to number–– or ever?

o bird
o feather
o breath
o time

hold me like the one about to fly
like found feather after bird gone
like opening notes of song almost
remembered.

Author: Stacey C. Johnson

I keep watch and listen, mostly in dark places.

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