clear view

the late may
breeze
flows
through the
sheer pur-
ple curtains,
a silky Caber-
net waterfall.
smelling of
freshly bag-
ed crab car-
casses, it
sways the
old lady’s sheets
as the gnats
lay eggs on
the corners.
out of no-
where, on the
sill, a star-
ling stares me
in the eye,
and i
do not
move.
only
breath
escapes
me.
the oak's leaves
are a song
that only we
can under-
stand.