The window in this kitchen
holds the perfect imprint
Of a songbird
Alula and primary coverts
in full active flight
A watermark
Of eye ring, crown and bill
Ghost bird in dorsal view
I would share the image
But how does one take a picture
Of glass?
My heart is made of hollow bones
Sketched by memories
The places I have loved
We are under the illusion we will
recognize the way back
These animals, these people
that honor us with their presence
These things we see that keep us grounded
These things we don’t
that take us out
Ghost bird.
All so very fragile
Tracy Brennan