[the flight is the show] by Darren C. Demaree

for Anna Geiger

i told my children the flight is the show to take off is to land the magic is how little the bird’s wings move while they defy gravity while they accept the tepid wind the gale force the spittle of the old gods not once do they question the advocacy of the sky the landscape that rises to frame them as untethered to any hold a bloom riding a bloom i told my children you have to give up your stems you have to leave your feet you have to give your weight to your neighbors if you want to join the birds above the book of goodbyes that way if you feel the wind in your face you can shut your eyes and know that slight cut rushing your cheek is a kiss is a gift you’ve been given by those that were ever willing to lift you to hold you to extend your body into the dry river and release you with such care that you keep the tumble down for when you wish to tumble down

Darren C. Demaree is the author of six poetry collections, most recently, Many Full Hands Applauding Inelegantly (2016, 8th House Publishing). His seventh collection, Two Towns Over, was recently selected the winner of the Louise Bogan Award from Trio House Press, and is due out March 2018. He is the Managing Editor of the Best of the Net Anthology and Ovenbird Poetry. He is currently living in Columbus, Ohio with his wife and children.