thursday nights

I opened my mouth

Starlings flew out from behind the waterfall
into the park
where the two bright eyes of the tree
were watching–No–
The lights illuminating
The playground
were my focus points
as the walls of Jericho–well, you know
And the trumpet sound
that heralded her presence
was enough to make my teeth jump out of my skull

I don't like to be in white light
because I'm afraid I'll disappear
The starlings flew to the horizon hidden by trees
and finished pulling the sun down
because it was being lazy and taking too long
Bees filled my mouth
and every word I said was buzzing
You saw the missing bricks and looked straight through

I opened my mouth
and said the words–
Without looking at you I said the words okay–
The words I've said to no one in this standing with me
and you sat silence
before taking my hand because you knew I was at last unarmed
Whether you held it for comfort
Or because it was your answer I still don't know

The starlings bore my written words on their wings
I spoke poetic hurt
I nearly lost my voice trying to speak over
the brass symphony
the angelic herald o lord
My eyes will bleed soon

Don't hum away from me
I can only sing a song for so long

-Dana Winter