Migration

photograph by James cater, 2019

seasonal 

migration has lost 

its language. birds

commence reverse 

flight. head for land

that does not exist. 

island holds breath, 

throws up sick. 

human limbs made

tides rogue whip. 

birds circle, cry. 

swansong 

is choking 

sob.

our talk is famous. 

when lunged 

with death 

you were brick.

a witness in 

the pyre. 

unborn poems

aborted. love 

letters mouthed

but never signed.