Migrations

Scarecrow in a pale dress
Face pressed on this greasy gas-station window
Whiteriver, Ontario
Side-long looks at boys lined up
Like beer cans on a fence
Pissing away this blurry afternoon

And under her breath she says,
"Would you pick me up?
I'm light as a feather
Though I'm not afraid
I am not brave enough
to offer"

He was beautiful and mean
Could never put things right
At seven stole a bottle and chose his antidote
Faked his own death at fourteen
Left his clothes and a note by the riverbed
And floated...
Away

Won't you pick me up
I'm light as a feather
Though I'm not afraid
I am not brave enough to offer

Station wagon full
Family of six rattling home
The long way down the Trans-Canada
Blackbird on a hydro wire plummets as they pass
Who turns to watch as it lands
In the muddy field

Won't you pick me up?
I'm light as a feather
Though i'm not afraid
I am not brave enough
To offer
Pick me up
I'm light as a feather
I am not afraid