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Oct 24
poetry
liebeslied

Blackbird

yesterday, I saw a blackbird die

I saw its eyes, 
veiled by a thin sheet of frost
unstirring 
beneath white satin curtains
like the ones we hid behind one summer afternoon
to feel the soft folds of silk
against our skin.

I saw its beak,
slightly ajar
amber bleeding from the sides of its jaw
like the sugary sap
that we would have gathered 
together
when winter whispered her first breath
to fallen autumn leaves.

I saw its nape,
throat shattering 
into a million stars
like the night you told me
that you loved wild roses 
and seahorses,
and all the stars listened
beside us.

yesterday,
I saw a blackbird die.
but I did not weep
because it 
died 
too beautifully
and weeping is only for
tragedies.

today, 
I stand by the vermillion honeysuckle
and snakeflowers
that mark his coffin,
and I pour vodka over his grave.

because yesterday, 
I watched a blackbird die.
I watched him writhe
thrashing
flailing
cries shriveling
words drowning.

but all I could do now 
was to knit him a hat, so 
he wouldn’t be
cold.
  • liebeslied's blog
  • Sprout
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Posted: 10.24.21
About the Author: liebeslied
MSG / CONTACT
RECENT LOVES
  • roe v wade
  • Wood burn moon art
  • Maine (3 PM on Monday)
  • Spilled Paint
  • Sunset (at different hours in the day)
RECENT COMMENTS
  • wow!! the images you painted
  • I loved the images you
  • aww wow!! I love sunsets! :)
  • the almost "ethereal" beauty
  • I really love reading all the

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Discussion

Comments

  1. Whitney
    Oct 25, 2021

    This is so amazing! I love the descriptive detail. The ending is unexpected by I really liked it.

    Whitney

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  1. liebeslied
    Oct 26, 2021

    thank you! I'm glad you liked it :)

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  1. Nightheart
    Oct 25, 2021

    Wonderful imagery and metaphor in this piece! Good job!

    "remember, we are infinite"

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  1. liebeslied
    Oct 26, 2021

    thank you!!

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  1. charvermont
    Oct 26, 2021

    so beautiful. and I love that sweet little ending!

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  1. liebeslied
    Oct 28, 2021

    thank you! :))

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YWP is a creative, online community of teen writers and visual artists. We're based in Burlington, VT, and we welcome young creators from anywhere!
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Contact: Susan Reid, Executive Director: [email protected]; (802) 324-9538