Seabirds from The Lily by Matt Brubeck and Caylie Staples

before the birds came in, I saw
your letter saying you're leaving
that's early morning in this season
before the birds came in

I watched the sunrise
and
I thought of my old friends

where are you going now that
we've got something left
but not enough to keep
the sun up?

were you asleep
when I became aware?
or are you waiting out there?
who's awake?
can we break without the other?
classic question for the morning birds

hello?
we wanted this but did we know?
it's low tide and I thought you'd go
at high tide

somewhere they're skipping stones
somewhere it's calm
somewhere in my bones I know
that different shapes
are coming home
to rest in me
but now,
alone

• Experimental
• Toronto