Ornithology

Carol Frost

Who else has seen the moment parleying（谈判） snipe on disappearing shoals（浅谈）, 

 wind frothing at their feet, lift in one loud whirring of wings, so the last 

 are first -- a testament time illuminates? 

                                                        How many years ago even as now 

 did another first see morning implement（实施） with gold the margins of inlet（入口） 

 and marshland, carelessly, as the wind blew? Winds, we can tell, are jealous 

 winds and take away the shore, night steals away the gold cup 

 of day, stars to follow -- like a serene flock of birds -- and lives are taken 

 in any order, till the last survivors are first, singing themselves alone. 

 Haven't you heard shorebirds sing this, in a few notes, and known?