From a little bump in the earth, which was published in April by Copper Canyon Press.

I wasn’t proud of my aim
at the bird I kept missing
& then finally shot through the head
even when the men around me stopped
looking down their guns
to glove my shoulders
to look into my cry-ready eyes
which is all I’d ever wanted them to do

Uncle Pac jumped from the ground
so I thanked God
he didn’t become a bird
I’m sure we would have shot through him too

I want this story out of my mouth
my murdering of feathers
No it was not an accident
where the pellet went I went

the other birds chased their cousin’s spirit
sobbing into the wind
I went to help them look in the wood
I saw a see-through quill

                                     with my bright blue shame