Flying On Instruments

Walter Bargen

May 25, 2022

In the flashlight’s beam, he follows the frantic

Flutter of a dusty brown bird up and down

The shed’s cobwebbed window, leaving dusk

Streaked with dust and stars. This bird, perhaps

A phoebe, tries desperately to fly deeper into

Night’s glittering glass as he approaches and fails

At rescue before grabbing it with one hand

Rather than scooping with two.  He is surprised

By its weight, or lack of weight, and feels

Uncertain how light to hold a handful of air.

He steps from the door into the dark

And he almost doesn’t notice his empty hands.

Walter Bargen has published 25 books of poetry, including My Other Mother’s Red Mercedes (Lamar University Press, 2018), Until Next Time (Singing Bone Press, 2019), Pole Dancing in the Night Club of God (Red Mountain Press, 2020), and You Wounded Miracle, (Liliom Verlag, 2021). He was appointed the first poet laureate of Missouri (2008-2009).