RELATIONSHIP Poem: roadside attractions, by Grace McGovern

teeth still shiny
as though his pink tongue has just
run them over
fat and bushy,
bursts of blood painting all around him
dead man’s belles bright purple besides
it was like he was sleeping, smiling
dreaming,
with no one around to watch

wings spread out
yellowed talons gripping the phone wine
he looked awkward
caught unawares
tips of his wings flutter gently
he turned his swivel head
to look back at me

we all watch each other
oh, sweet insistence

i slowed down, completely
to stare
dried parchment leaves falling around me
i can hear their slow dirge as they fall
of summers long since gone

i wanted to pick up the fox
reanimate him for a companion
to tell him i had slowed down
i had attended his funeral
and that i couldn’t say if there was anyone else there

but i was
and so was the hawk
we watched,
i promise