He greets us in the clearing and
Looking up at us
Attempts to initiate conversation.
The Hermit Thrush is named for his alleged reclusivity.

I have a certain affinity for expectational defiance.

My beloved
Also a lapsed Catholic
Reminds me of Genesis 1:27
And I can’t help wondering
If God Themself is this unsteady on Their feet.

The rocks are all slick with mud
My joints threaten to give way in precarious places
And I keep alternating between
I’m gonna die
And
This is so beautiful
Which I think is maybe the closest I’ve come to truth.