one day
I will tell you in music
what I mean
and show
by the curve
of my bowed back
this violin
and wait
while you remember
and say
by this instrument—
listen
I will show you
the sound a bird means
singing
above her heart
pounding
too fast
for you to follow
while alive
and I will say gently
try baby
and for a moment
you will
and you will
try baby
still alive
(meaning what?)
then
you will know
what I mean
enough
for us to leave
and be still again