Great Blue Heron at Burnett Bridge

You took me in the sun
to your home-

town, to the tidal
marsh, to the bridge

where you jump

into me.

___

a great blue
heron stills
its gait
to wait
in the shallows
poised
watching for
shadows
to wend
the cold
currents
under
the surface

___

Once there was a door
that jammed
at the thought of itself.

You open the door
to reveal a gate you open
to another door—

The morning sun
slants into me,
a sharp fire in crisp air.

By night,
I was ashamed to cry
into your chest.

___

___

the gulf
between
stasis and
patience
gapes
awaiting
water’s
return
or the calendar
days I count
until

it is humid
between us
until you
jump into
the water
until I
again can
warm
my ear on
your neck

___

The in-tide will return,
you will splash, the drops
will kiss the earth
with diamonds.

At home I open all the doors
to let in sea-liquor, wind,
songs of the birds whose
names I have yet to learn.

___