Petals

[Larry]

Still white fire of pearl spring petals
fluttering away in another autumn
There in the haze of long western light
sleepily glowing above the cliffs you
reminded me of a fallen nestling and
I held you in my hands like a stunned sparrow

marveling the speed at which you fell
after your budding, the branch shaking
away everything without moving at all
in piles of petals like pink-frayed feathers
It is said even now you are rotting
all ship-wrecked in a green bladed sea
sinking into the ocean you will become