The Bird Above by Edward Lee

I could only see the bird
because it was darker
than the night
I woke in, the repetitive song
of its turning wings
the noise that woke me
from a dream
I could not remember
but vaguely knew contained oceans of pale skin.

It hovered above me,
like a hummingbird designed
by a man without light,
its black eyes
pouring down upon me,
my soul twisting like a mutated bone
as it felt itself weighed
and found wanting,

but before such judgment
could give way to solid punishment,
the bird of dark disappeared,
and I lay there
for the remainder
of the night, wondering
if it might return,
wanting to know it
as morning light
illuminated the room.

Edward Lee's poetry, short stories, non-fiction and photography have been published in magazines in Ireland, England and America, including The Stinging Fly, Skylight 47, Acumen and Smiths Knoll.  His debut poetry collection "Playing Poohsticks On Ha'Penny Bridge" was published in 2010. He is currently working towards a second collection. He also makes musical noise under the names Ayahuasca Collective, Lewis Milne, Orson Carroll, Blinded Architect, Lego Figures Fighting, and Pale Blond Boy. His blog/website can be found at https://edwardmlee.wordpress.com