September

Birds blew in today
      from the north somewhere,
           beating the air, looking newborn in our wet backyard.

Summer falls back, hushing,
hissing from the barefoot rain of September

and the chanting of crickets, yellowing leaves of squash.
Damp grass, thickets of clover, Queen Anne's lace are browning slowly,

sugared at the veins.

I'm sick with love, with sin, with cynicism -
too quick, made rash from waiting. Longing.
Blessing with the passion of a curse,
through gritted teeth.

Katie, later this will all make sense.
I called you, fattened you like a pig and plugged your ears,
closed your eyes. I sucked you dry. I took back but I gave back,
I carried you, sent you songs in the night. Peeled back the blinds.
Do not be frightened:
pummel Me, swear, claim no pride in all your "I have never"s - you have.
You have nothing,  you are also being stripped. This, the greater gift.
I consign you to disobedience, and mercy. I have you.
Listen to Me: I love you.

            Cowbird, bluebird, nuthatch,
         northern flicker,
     chickadee,
sparrow,

fall.

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