geese

Craning for feed, glossed feathers primed for

liquidation. River’s scent of algae and mud- 

mix in, blend with the hydrangeas down the block. 

Cloaked for winter, birch branches stacked on

glades and glades of marsh and shit. 

One wrong step and the Earth claims you. 

One wrong step and it’s laundry for a week.

Thin paths for the flock, waddle along

between low tides and uncut grass.

We don’t mind, why should you? 

Just jam your head in the sand,

forget about the plan,

memorize good eulogies,

hiss all you want, still here you see-

not a large fall, we welcome all,

it’s ok-

you’ll come to live life just as we do.

- JW