for Kath

[christymarx]

Katherine Lawrence
11 Dec. 1954 - 25 March 2004

The Thing With Feathers

Some birds fly forever, I've heard,
and I've wondered how.

I imagine my arms wide and the moon
full and still waters below. Only trust
in the turning of the world and glide and it
seems a simple thing.

But dawn brings ships and their flocks and
a war in the air. I hear terrible songs and
turn my eyes from the rising sun and beat against
the burning light seeking quiet
in the high reaches of the sky
where stars become possible.

I seek empty paths over ice where the living
are silent and the way is clear, but a chill sinks into my
bones and I am too heavy for the air.

Ancient winds show me other lands, but I am
wingproud and desire my own destinations. There
will be time for every strange country when I am
done with dragons.

But what of the storms?
They come against my wings and are
deaf to weariness or confusion.
The world turns like a rage and I cannot rise above, nor
find the cold peace of quiet lands.

Let me rest a moment, then. Forever is
too long.

------Mark Kreighbaum