In Parting

After one but before the next,

In a tree where new life writhed and flexed

Two birds emerged to hold the world

And grow from feeble talons curled

But fate would see them part that day

As lightning cut their branch away

By winds to distant places sent

Almost as if it all had meant

That though their bloodied wounds would fade,

They'd wonder where their brother lay

For every day from that day on

They'd wait to hear a certain song

In vain, for years, thought one was strong

And one was not, for far too long

Until his bones and thoughts were old,

And feathers burnt and lost and cold

The stronger of the two could see

A distant bird, how weak was he

In drawing near but knowing not,

Just who he was, or why, or what

The stronger talons tore at flesh

And stripped away that feathered mess

And all without a sound or cry,

Or even ever knowing why

Yet as the sun began to sink

He seemed to sense, he seemed to think

That soon his brother might appear

From somewhere close, from somewhere near

Convinced this was his brother's fate,

Above his corpse, he sat... to wait