6. love letter

love letter 13: epidemic
​
he went back for his sister.
he'd thought to
leave her but could not.

she rocked in her chair.
she put her hand to
her mouth and
cawed like a crow.

he thought he finally
understood her.
the caw wasn't a call for help
or a laugh or a comment.
it was the sound of the
last person on earth enjoying
the vibration of her voice
against her hand.

he said 'you're not alone.
I'm here with you.
let's go to school.'

even though there'd
be no school.
there were no more teachers
and there were no more students
but it was one of the words
that got her to move.

'take my hand,
walk with me out the door.'
'caw' she said.
or didn't say but
placed into her cupped palm.

caw.

where are all the
birds he thought.
the cawing birds
dusting the ground
clean with their wings.
'caw' he said
​and she arose.

#weeklypoemandpic