A bird (poem)

A bird

poor girl

we will never know, we can never guess

passing feathers and airy bones, washed

articulated under bubbling ice

in a posture of aborted flight

be careful these days of accidents

be careful of speeding near shallow water

with a bloodless face her detritus warns

let it give mockery, of joking, happy talks with friends

let the girl’s mascara run

let her cheeks and brow a white remain

her makeup waxen, curded skin

a mask, a driving mackerel cloud

departing the scene

but keep the drowned lips red

let the hurriers over the footbridge skid

with failing legs, with fear

of not one thing, but all

in the sky falling

let them know the creeks are full

Towards cracks she stretches out a hand

Wings the heel of a woman’s shoe

The laces of a man’s

Under the bridge the girl’s eyes slue

Forgive

(2025, Stephanie Foster)