Sun nourishes the mud
from the mud springs algae
the algae beckons the fish
and the fish call forth puffins
the puffins nest and lay
inviting the hawks & foxes
& life explodes
steppe eagles brawling over the matted
corpse of a flamingo
if i could stroke a swan’s neck
& bury my face in it’s breast
then i could forget you
& your absence
from a distance
the planet is blue
I’d let you stand & watch
As my back disappeared behind the bird’s wing
& you’d be able to see me smile & purr
& with your loverly eyes observe
my face relax
as i pushed the shrapnel of the memories of you
out through muscle out through skin
& away into the air
I wouldn’t want it
any
other
way
.
Niall Griffiths
Picture W. Turner
.