arrivals
the birds arrive two-fold. first, covering the sky, and second, surrounding the lake. they have traveled here from far, as have i. their white-tipped feathers and scent of saltwater marshes unknown to me. you know about birds. you would tell me what they are; tell their entire journey from distant lands, as recounted from a library book. what they eat, and how often; when they first emerged on this earth and where they’re going. but i want to keep the mystery. the not-knowing of their names. we are both from far away.
Beautiful.
‘If only I had something new,’
she thought, ‘something adventurous
to do, like when the fields grew tall
fields from which wild fowl fed and flew’;
she the black feline feisty and precious
needed something new or to climb the wall.
.
She walked over to the windowpane
and looked out to the neighboring homes
to where she hoped to find something
—something new, beyond the back lane
rocky road where she often roams
to where her eyes would be wandering.
.
And when her attention was caught
by the towering shingle roof
sheltering the large corner store
she at once decided she ought
to climb to its high peak as proof
of her worth to those who did her adore.
.
Through the yards one by one she went
glancing around this and that corner
over then under fences tall
till she stood at the wall she’d meant
to conquer as a foreigner
without any fear that she’d fall.
.
She looked to the two garbage cans
leaning against the wooden shed
right next to the store that was so pink;
up she jumped, her feet and hands
reached the top by but a thread
of no better place could she think.
.
Having achieved her noteworthy climb
she gazed over to the swaying trees
unaware that her hostess stood near;
at the bus stop as passed the time
the woman looked up into the breeze
and saw her feline who knew no fear.
.
Thus the feline had done something new
and not seeing her hostess’s stare
she returned home fulfilled and content
for from this day excitement she drew
and she thought again she’d climb and dare
those high places worthy of her scent.