celestial intelligence
you can only hope to outlive it
the system of the clouds
designed to wear you down
with or without shadows
a woman with wings
swoops near the surface & accelerates
back into the sky
—most likely she is not alone
how far they’ve traveled
is a matter of speculation
it’s as if they’ve been here before
the way they know
the terrain
the way they call your name
it’s never too late to change
they seem to be saying
coaxing you out of the cave
insinuating it’s safe again
to see the light of day
may two thousand twenty-three
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserve
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