The gray of morning
and when you rise, from travel far that holds no name
you will go to the yard, as you did before
and in a bowl your grandma made
feed the crows your fresh let blood

they line the fence, dark against dim
their eyes so bright, silent, still-
they will drink the dream you've given them
it is only kindness that brings there here
this is not their home
they would rather have the berries
that you picked with the dog

they knew, in the night
each labored breath-
pleading forgiveness for a sin
that never was

will this button help, so yellow bright?
A lapis necklace we found by the bay?
Can our char-black wings cover your eyes
and take you to the place
where it all began?

We don't want your ****** tithe, given in mistaken shame
we don't believe that story of guilt
passed along, hand to hand by
every silly child so raised
to believe in only shades of gray

soon the sun is on the trees
drop your gown and fly with us-
there is no ground beneath your feet,
why cling to things that don't exist?

There is so much more than bitter blood
taken hard in biting pain
to share for breakfast with the fold-
tell us now, your Real True Name....

she turned to catch
the first full light
her shadow strong then dropped away
the warming blue was full of birds
she rose above to join the day




her footprint stayed there, in the sand
the bowl dried brown, it filled with rain-
clothes lay scattered on the rocks
a shoe no foot would fit again

creeping vetch, near wild sweet peas
lilac crazed from time alone
the lawn that has become the meadow-
the meadow that has become her home

they laugh out loud; no ears to hear them
black wings touching, one to another
you will feel them pass over, if you roll in that moment
when sleep drags you down and strips you bare

find the first light, then, way out in the garden
stand quite still, waiting, with berries and seeds
black birds on a fence and a bowl full of water
here to tell you that your day has come

the gate has swung shut, it will not be opened
your ticket is paid, there is nothing owed
open your hands and give us the gift now
here is the sun- no looking back