MIGRATION

As it flew across

the rose-colored sky

toward the tall trees

that lined the river,

its large, white wings

looked like a bone

breaking and mending,

breaking and mending

as it climbed into

the liminal light.

Suddenly, it disappeared

into the veil of a lone cloud,

the bone breaking 

one last time.

My body took a breath…

and then I imagined 

the creature landing

in its perch

with wings outstretched

and flapping

somewhere 

on the other side

finding its balance

on the bouncing branch, 

while the tree beneath it,

its temporary home,

let go of the last 

of its autumn leaves.