FEEL LIKE A BIRD
May Swenson
feel like A Bird
understand
he has no hand
instead A Wing
close-lapped
mysterious thing
in sleeveless coat
he halves The Air
skipping there
like water-licked boat
lands on star-toes
finger-beak in
feather-pocket
finds no Coin
in neat head like
seed in A Quartered
Apple eyes join
sniping at opposites
stereoscope The Scene
Before
close to floor giddy
no arms to fling
A Third Sail
spreads for calm
his tail
hand better
than A Wing?
to gather A Heap
to count
to clasp A Mate?
or leap
lone-free and mount
on muffled shoulders
to span A Fate?
from Another Animal (1954)
