Soar Ready

Soar Ready

I had my feathers 

replaced 

today

along my shoulders 

and the

back of my neck

the old ones hardly 

catching 

the currents anymore 

I’d forgotten to molt

and hung onto 

everything

I’d ever had

today I let go- 

plucked the disheveled

and replaced them with the grand

part angel, part great blue heron

and downy-owl feathers

 along my spine

I don the taloned feet of hawk

firm, relaxed

unfettered by storms 

I see the moon 

differently

shadows

 as friends