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Charmed I jump between the cat & a bird. The cat cries as though I had struck her with a stick. If animals possess souls her cry's close to sin. She moves toward the bird. Women have moved gently toward me- & me toward themthis way. Some dance concealed under the skin, creatures of habit. The bird sits perfectly lost like a flower. So red. Lost behind the five colors of the cat's eyes brighter than truest memory of water. The cat has pierced him deeper than bad luck, moving like a hand buried in the dark. Years ago I stepped between a woman & man at each other's throat, both turning against me. I try to shoo the bird away. I pick him up & his small heart flutters through me. The bird has no song left. I close my eyes, I place him on the ground, I back away. 77 from Copacetic ...

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