wings like black angels
boarded up castle windows
three stories tall
wider & taller than the original
castle windows
landing areas for black birds
ravens or grackles or cowbirds
circling the perimeter as if on patrol
playing a game without a name
occupying the ledges
for moments at a time
unable to penetrate the fortress
one alighting on a ledge
only to have another depart
sometimes two or three at a time
orbiting the castle as much as
attempting to occupy the ledge
picking a different window each time
but always coming & going
circling & swooping & climbing higher
spreading their wings like black angels
though never once not spiraling
down to the ground
june two thousand twenty-three
copyright j matthew waters
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