When someone dies.
the branches of a single tree
bow heavy with dew
in forest shadow a twig snaps
beneath the black paw of a stalking cat
and a startled bird flies free
when someone dies
the seaweed wrings its fingers
fields of wheat wave
goodbye
a crow sharpens its beak
on porous stone
when someone dies
the wind mourns their name once
in old forgotten tongue
the stars flicker off for a sliver of time
the stones yawn
the ground grows fat
Michael Fredman,
2001.
