You know we flew once?
Standing, watching the seafront
And we lept together
Caught on the wind a feather.
We spread our arms, flapped and whistled,
(I still remember how my neck hair bristled.)
We swooped close to the water to catch the sea spray,
While drenching your yellow matted hay.
And then back up again, into the gale,
To be thrown in whichever direction it did prevail.
The gulls cackled and laughed as we floundered in the air,
The secret to flying is not one they’ll share.
Your acidic eyes told me the secret was a lie,
All the gulls told you was to live and not die.
But when I landed you were no more,
And I was left standing on the shore.