When Was I Ever

Dark at last A stunning revelation That life is never sweet enough to take you back to those times With eyes closed, a cooing penetrates Imagined comfort of a nest Until a startle, sharp as night Feathers scatter, wings tremble Bend against a wind that carries you, but never back to where you were safe Because there never was a safe place Can you hear that heart resting Taking cover where peace can be counted on The martin, its babies dashed on the pavement moves still, bringing insects by instinct when the nest is empty never knowing it’s not enough to bring them back from the ground.