After Summer

by Sara, Shawnee and Marjorie

after Chen Chen

We are the hot air balloon filled with flame & waiting

Blessed are we, elusive as we rise so high boldly into the dark

We are not quiet or lost, but we do lose our way; we are not tarred & feathered or your ending

Our powers: lifting feathers back to the crows that dropped them, skinned raw, waiting for music

One day the flame will die & we will take you with us

The next day the clouds will be pink, the sky bright with feathers