No Oriole

Rosalynde Vas Dias

There is no way back you know of.
There is no oriole.  The oriole
is a sign.

If there is an oriole.

Every day as you wished it
to be, once.  No one else.
Cats.  An empty house.

The sun porch cold under your feet.
and the small object appearing
as if someone had just been there.

Leaving something behind for you.

What would an oriole mean?  If he appeared,
that is.

If he came out of the sky and ate
right from your hand.