The letter arrived today,
terse lettering scribbled in haste
on the envelope,
stamp pasted with distress,
traces of saliva
lapping over
the edge, like
the waves
of an ancient ocean.
At the moment,
a black bird crashed
into our
sliding window,
staggered
slightly
and flew away.
It disappeared
into the pregnant air
at dusk
and
we looked at one another,
a reluctant smile
creeping over our
lips.