when the birds migrate home

just before the unfolding of blossoms

where there is no hornet nest that exists yet

no bent utensil forever unclean

no giant civilization borne between your shoulder blades

with time still to grab it clutch it make it yours

just before the land uncharted and people unknown

in that special answer of a few years

where i almost nearly forgot

the mixed drinks and the deep coffees and

the ancient rage that was said

to be the reason for reasons

and language

the kind that will last after a death

with words still bubbling with argument

unfulfilled desire

the brides of anger and regret

just before they thin into fall

store themselves into the kissing evening

see the waves paint themselves into a skin

who has never seen the ocean

never felt the salt drip through their mouth

unwanted

just before i

that bundle of rain that sound before the last one

just before the snow

the beautiful snow

the ugly snow too

just before the spring shrieks with a mind

to climb that ladder instead of the elevator

not to heaven

but just before

you will tell me

like a bluejay coming back

to a persistent winter

that there will be no after

anymore

*

above is from a book of poetry i’ve written, entitled “a mess of you everywhere inside of me“.

it is for you. it is about you. it will tell you how to be you again. get a copy here: https://goo.gl/zsyqVD