Once when I was a songbird

Once when I was a hare

I knew the small places-

The dark places-

The light places.

I knew the wind in my feathers.

I knew the rising sun.

Once when I was an eagle

Once when I was a shark

I knew the wide places-

The high places-

The deep places.

I knew the thrill of the hunt.

I knew the taste of blood.

Once when I was a barn owl

Once when I was a cat

I knew the dim places-

The other places-

The in-between places.

I knew the dark moon.

I knew the smell of spring.

I knew the dew-wet grass-

The bare trees-

The gentle stream-

Once when I was a bird.