I love cats,
They always tell the truth.
If they don’t love you
They won’t pretend.

I ate their seeds
swallowed some
spit out the rest
waited til they opened
my cage and flew
branch to branch
town to town
and into a few windows
I confused with sky.

A few nests
along the way
lived in a building
or two that burned
and escaped
singed but not ashen.

No Phoenix here
just a solo blackbird
pecking for scraps
in parking lot cracks
scars hidden
from sunlight’s gaze
under dark feathers.

Now I only fly sometimes
gliding not too high
on black wings
with rainbow sheen
I sing my songs
a bit hoarse
and off key.

I hid You in a poem
still warm
like Your look
and words of love
true
like my and your life
I’m not afraid any more
it’s a present for You

Even though I miss you so
I look up at the up at the creamsicle skies you present to me
& I reminisce about how sweet life can be
I feel less alone in those quiet instants
Though I usually never show it
Some days I'm more fragile than others
Yet, I've learned to love every second of it
Solace in the silence
I like to be able to slowly arise from my slumber
I like to be able to hop on my bike
& feel what the breeze has in store for me
I like to listen to the trees when they tell me about their dreams
I like it when the sun kisses me so
Or when the bugs play hide and seek in my hair with
the leafs that want me to take them home
I'm not ready to die.