Birdsong

Birdsong

By Jax Soon-Legaspi

lonely child, let me tell you of my sky.

speckled with crows

winged bats at dusk

clouds blushing and rosy

do you sing, child?

does language lie heavy on your tongue?

lonely child, let me tell you of my cage.

if i told you of

the colour red

the taste of wine

the girl i met

do you smile? do you nod your head?

am i worthwhile, or do i sing to

emptiness

you don’t laugh because nobody taught you how

look how this place echoes

see how your voice

leaves, lovely in its layers

cave and cage are only different by a letter

and there is light other than this fire that burns you

it will be bright and blinding

but you are blind here too