No Gods Needed
By Allan Peterson

Saying bird is too big
saying swallow is
Saying syrinx and all songs gathered in the throat
Saying those
who had globes were privileged those
on metal stands or those in the libraries
whose bearings were silent in their walnut carriages
But I had a world map
that covered my wall above the painted radiator
Like a bird aloft I could see everything at once
So no gods no saints just finches
No intercession no afterlife
no souls smoking from the body
no expectation but a dream
While I water
I see them visit the feeder So no gods needed
no explanations
It is enough to know they are finches
and gold and crave thistles