When we opened the door that morning
The sun beat down on the pavement already
The bugs swirled by the doorstep
And in the crack between the glowing doorbell and its metal frame
An ancient thing was caught
Crumpled wings burnt black with camouflage
Like a leaf with its stem in the wall
Long legs dancing in the breezes and
Wings aflutter with death

Barefoot over the driveway
I sit on the ground and look at the glowing rectangle
And a body from the depth of time
Brushing the side of the door
Like a warning note pinned to the promise of sound

I see with its eyes the way the moonlight fell
Across the blue cement
And the orange flame glistened like a dewdrop
Framed by the world
A portal into something better

Skirting around this being with its head caught
In the fastenings of my home
I know some spirit came to visit
During the depths of night
A soul let loose by the dance of summer
Coming to rest at our door
And I close the door gently
Not to disturb
The dry and listless wings