for example

it precedes earthquakes or follows them
by seconds or years

it makes a tiger leave its cage
it is the reason for misplaced keys &
it sounds like salt rubbing against salt
in a glass on the shelf

Because each strike brings a new truth
we have not slept for years

& still we want to know
where will the next species
look to find us?

Not the ocean not the sky
in those places
there is no sign that we have lived there
only the signs of accident or sloth