What I left behind

my hands were empty
except for the steering
wheel and I wondered
what I’d left behind

I looked around -
the sky was broader
the road stretched further
the air was brighter

trees full of chirping
winging limb to limb
flitting twig to twig
left me far behind

the wedding of light
and dark upon
shameless grasses
presumed whispers

a feather rested on a wire
tremulous - poised
singing the song of
the bird it left behind


© 2002 Melissa Songer