A Bird No One Knows

It doesn’t matter what you choose
or how you frame it. In the end
they will still look at you funny
and after a sigh or two dismiss you.
Shake their heads, one or two of them,
and let you go.

It doesn’t matter how you dress
or how you say the things you say.
You will still be the cause
for their shaking heads, their
worried hands trembling
when they reach out for you,
and then (reluctantly at first
but with relief at the close)
let you go.

Be well, and let me go
without a qualm or care
in the world. You should recognize me:

I’m a chipmunk
you never chased deeply enough into the earth
to understand. You should recognize me:
I’m a bird of indeterminate plumage
you thought you knew in your bones
but were never certain that you did,
not after I’d flown.

You should recognize me:
I’m you before the fire, after the flood,
sunset on your beloved lake before night falls
all the way down like a perfect blanket.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
onward,
T