birds

I still find feathers, less and less these days

But i still find them

In places i don't expect

The crow hopped down from my bookshelf

And said it was time to leave

Despite my worries, i knew he was right

I said "i'm not done grieving yet"

"of course you're not" he said

"but that's never why i was here"

"grief is a lifelong project"

"it's the dark clouds on the horizon"

"but hopelessness is temporary"

"and that's why i was here"

He hopped back through the cat flap

And he thanked them on the way out

I followed him into the garden

Into the last warm days of october

I closed my eyes

And listened to the birds

And their strange jagged wisdom

And when i opened them again

The crow was gone

The year of the crow is over

Thank you friend, for everything

So listen to the birds

And take pity on those

Who have learnt to speak to them

Because they're still finding feathers

And they will be forever

Still finding feathers

And they will be forever