Three Birds by Rabéarivele

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The bird of iron the bird of steel 

that rent the morning clouds 

and wanted to snatch the stars 

is hiding shamefully 

beyond day 

in an unreal cave.

The bird of flesh the bird of feathers 

that thrust a tunnel through the wind 

in quest of the moon whom he saw in his dreams 

hanging in the branches 

plunges like the evening 

into a thicket of leaves.

But he who is without body 

bewitches the guardian of skulls 

with his stammering song. 

He opens his sounding wings 

hurries to pacify space 

and only returns immortal.