Sitting on the steps of the back porch
A piece of staling bread sour-dry in my mouth
Wondering if there is peace in this evening.

I notice above me sky whales,
Silent, moving slowly, but faster than you would think,
Bellies blue, edges tinted pink.

And suddenly I know which way is west
Because they are gliding away from the darkening pallor
Where the sun set not so long ago.

The air above me is water.
I am looking up into the sea
Where migrating orca mountains
                                        made by breath, moved by wind
Slide from dusk to darkness.

I no longer know up from down, drowning from sighs,
But by God I know which way is west.