mistaken reflection of the moon

this morning I’m ready if you are
but did you hear the clams screaming
on the mudflat yesterday
did you hear the peacocks crying
“what am I ready for?”
there is no time but the one to be quick
on this day nineteen seventy four bee cee
on jooolyy 7th gathering sea grass
for a boy with tufts of hair like baby birds’
feathers – the bottle sings
tilted on sea winds given questions
I look to sounds for answers
I need you here, because every other
language floods the fire I’ve built —
scorpions burn my skin and yours
sand and trees talk half-speak
open the river, part deserts
and lemon leaves, part the space
and tie my heart