Migrations

Scarecrow in a pale dress
Face pressed on this greasy gas station window
White River, Ontario
Sidelong looks at boys
Lined up like beer cans on a fence
Pissing away this blurry afternoon

And under her breath she says
"Would you pick me up?
I'm light as a feather
Though I'm not afraid
I am not brave enough to offer"

He was beautiful and mean
Could never put things right
At seven stole a bottle and chose his antidote
Faked his own death at fourteen
Left his clothes and a note by the riverbed
And floated away

"Won't you pick me up?
I'm light as a feather
Though I'm not afraid
I am not brave enough to offer"

Station wagon full
Family of six rattling home
The long way down the Trans-Canada
Black bird on a hydrowire
Plummets as they pass
Who turns to watch as it lands in the muddy field

"Won't you pick me up?
I'm light as a feather
Though I'm not afraid
I am not brave enough to offer
Pick me up
I'm light as a feather
I am not afraid"