Free-bird

Linda Rosenkrans

Through the veil of darkness, I relinquish my grip

As midnight engulfs the once twinkling stars I held dear

Deceived by serpents, my vision warped

Day masquerading as night, and night as day

Lost keys from another place and time

Might be found beneath an unrelated lamppost

A dodo bird falters, tripping over a wounded wing

Leading to a fateful fall

Fires rage, tornadoes swirl, a hurricane follows in their wake

That lustrous apple, a deceitful allure clouding my senses

An alabaster dove appears on my shoulder

Whispers of surrender caress my ear

“Give them up to me,” he says

I gather yesteryear’s rubbish in a sackcloth bag presenting it to the dove

Accepting the burden without strife, it soars into the horizon

Thy will be done, a solemn vow whispered on parted breaths.