Birds Above the Mast

By Garland Davis

in the Western Pacific clouds

above the mast

two, no three, albatross circle

one behind the other

aimed at something promised

by the wisdom of their hollow bones

their eyes searching the sea

they sweep above our decks

all the places where we live our lives

in whatever moments we find

as we move through the calm seas

driven by some covenant

like the wind that moves their wings against the clouds