Tayve Neese: Still, we wait for sounds of plumage

Still, we wait for sounds of plumage

in this world even angels shun.


Now egrets, spoonbills are earth’s

last guardians. Larks keep us


from malice of suns, ravens

spread their dark wings, blue with blessing.


We will not release our belief in feathers.

We will not deny benevolence of flight,


those who, like gods, from above

watch us with dire eyes.

From Blood to Fruit by Tayve Neese (David Robert Books, 2015). Copyright Tayve Neese.

Tayve Neese is the editor of Trio House Press and The Banyan Review.