Reminder of Life

 

 

a broken, speckled bird
with brittle broken bones sticking through the skin of its little twig-legs
and a soft severed wing hanging limply at its side
will laugh in delight at being found.
 
you can hold it as long as you don’t look at the broken legs
maybe you should cradle the bird (and its legs) in your arms, or a box, and make the long journey up the hill
 
or maybe you should kill it quickly, with one slash of a sharp knife
extinguish the ignorant life left in it
so you don't have to contemplate its pain.
 
couldn't bring myself to kill it when I had the choice
now I have to stare at the broken legs
without looking away 
 
Susan Jamison: Memento Thrush Bouquet
    

 
 
 
 
 

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