My life had been collecting stones
& washing them in waters
I’ve never been to this place
or to that one
My wish had been to be
unnerved before & after: mountains
march in progress, forward, take
my palms as proof.
I make a list of passerines
(it’s horrible containment):
the raven, rook, and treepie,
magpie, jackdaw, chough,
& jay.
I count the meal-worms in my toes:
(smell my breath: salvation).
