i had almost forgotten 
not to forget 

the black/white/blue birds
the tree swallows 

diving like
darts 
beyond the window

darting like
divers 
peripherally

as i walked to nowhere
for my sake(?)

as you lifted tension 
for tension’s sake(?)

wondering if you
saw so many  

playing birds? hunting birds? play-hunting birds?
(just birds perhaps)
in the real out
side there

only sometime later
sitting on the porch 

cold air noticed me

& i remembered 
myself

not to forget
the tree swallows

not to forget
to ask you