top of page

snowbirding by Natalye Childress



snowbirding

 

it’s springtime in the nearctic realm. another season

 

                      among the almácigo ends, as sun shadows contract.                                                             

 

          you return north to rustle in the brambles, to nest in

 

 

the canopies. you’re foraging, you’re golden, and out of your

 

                      mouth-gape, words spill — syrupy, liquid, dulcet. your

 

          lips are slick, a purple-black veneer i want to tongue.

 

 

slow, slow, listen to the flutter-drum beat of your– watch for 

 

                      the wing-quiver of my– and do not be afraid to get

 

          your hands dirty, to taste this exquisite grime.

 

 

salt-sour heady, as you drink of sun-fermented brine, you’ll be

 

                      reminded that it’s not wrong to indulge, that sweetness and 

 

          musk can coexist. and when summer finally comes,

 

 

you’ll pick up a cantaloupe, sink your teeth into the rind,

 

                      and take a bite. and you’ll say, to no one in particular,

 

          even a bad cantaloupe is still fine.

 

Comments


bottom of page