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blackbirds

Two Poems by Nancy Takacs

The Worrier
                   red-winged blackbirds

What do they bring?

The sound of water under their tongues.

Where did you first see them?

The flesh-colored blossoms.

What do they sound like?

The click of pennycress,
red-stem filaree,
silky crazy-weed.

What about their wings?

They’re scented with cottonwood.

Why are their wings so black?

Coal dust,
an alcove in a deep canyon,
jewels of an eclipse.

Why are their shoulders so red?

They always hold the last light.

 

 

The Worrier
                    toad

What is the toad?

A brain that shadow-boxes,
fish-eye that shivers,
bagel of fear,
bud in the gum.

What is his name?

Rain-under-eves.

What are his habits?

Marimba on stone.

Insomnia in hostas.

Who does he call?

Moths that lose lanterns.

A woman awake.

Who is his mother?

Echo.

Who is his father?

The night watchman
with a hand in the pond.

What does he love?

The heart of a recluse.

 

 

 

Nancy Takacs lives in Utah and Wisconsin with her husband and two dogs. Her latest book is Blue Patina, published in 2015 by Blue Begonia Press.

Read poetry by Nancy Takacs previously published in Terrain.org.

Photo of red-winged blackbird flock by Rusty Dodson, courtesy Shutterstock.