The Fall of Feathers

August in Scotland, and the air is full
of thistledown and feathers.

gull feathers white on the fields,
the young starling’s downy beige

among the seedheads, gold and scarlet flash
of finches at their autumn feast.

A sparrow hits the window.
Three grey feathers spiral to earth.

A sparrowhawk catches a pigeon,
leaves a whirl of plumage and blood.

August in Hiroshima,
feathers of ash and burning rain.

August in our memory.
paper cranes, falling tears.