fluttering wings behind the chest
ache to fly, escape distress
restlessness         
running, pounding footfalls
trailing ink and dust
ripping out old histories swept
like shadows, autumn leaves
dried
wind roar’s, a creature’s huffing breaths
a hundred animals’ ragged scraps
tied
a hundred thudding paws, round rabbit eyes
           compacted
ducked and weaving scales
challenge life with glistening teeth
snarling string
pins patches
of hides and growls, teeth and pinions, strength and sinew
into straining sails, a roving ship
a part of me.
gusts through patchwork roars and screams,
hull of a thousand long lived trees
of tales ingrained
a vessel flies with nature’s need
furious escape