Messenger

We found her in the shadow
of the gas drum; 
a pleat of otherness
pinched from her dominion.

Maw like a whale,
head slit to gill air, 
a dark scythe
at our feet.

We willed her wings to open,
her form take shape,
conflate to airy spaces. 
A new crescent moon.

We picked the whole contraption up,
brindled, tawny, creamy throat;
she spilled over our hands
into awe.

Her claws were shriven, 
her eyes the eyes
of something fallen, 
the weight unbearable

so we sent her onwards
to beat at the heels
of a young god’s sandals, 
set her away, windward.