feathers

one by one
i started to add
to my collection.

i found one on top
of the stone wall
along side the ocean.

another i picked up
off the cold city block
on a deary day,
my vision impaired
by the thick gray fog –
or perhaps salt stains
from my tears.

i borrowed one from a
lover
friend
enemy
and forgot to return them
when i was done.

slowly, i expanded my selections
using each of them every so often
to dangle
to flaunt
to display
so everyone knew
how many i had
how easy i could find another.

my friends pleaded, cried
“you do not need
any more feathers”.

it took me a while
to understand
i couldn’t fill the
empty space you left
with more of your kind.

finally.
i
let
them
go.