The Warbird (For February 2, 2015)

The gannet launches from the surface and unfurls his wings with a crack

scatters bullets of sea water upon unseen diagonal targets below

Instantly vanishes into vapor then, a thunderbird drifts past,

wings extended, more the centurion bird of a national flag

Spears in his talons and entrails in his gullet

the winnowing eagle is naked under his feathers

Abduction Dream (For February 1, 2015)

This traincar, this overnight dash —

stained straw on

these interior floorboards

This traincar, this overnight dash —

glass underfoot

as well as these blood lips

This whistle, this shrieking of rails

this whole clamor reflected

off a town’s two crumbling buildings

This traincar, this overnight dash —

gaslight rocking, shadow growing:

You do not know this man; you will not tend his wounds