“heavy feather” by Ava DeMar

Illustration by A&LJ Editor Briella Beemer.

birds perch along the fence edge

aimlessly pecking at cracks in the pavement

their world bound by a chain

a lock that clinks with silent weight

they will never find what they are looking for

they long for where they grew up

warm inside of sticky yolk

prickly nest of sticks and moss

regurgitation

now, they hold it all

except for that familiar texture

a world that is expansive

yet they peck, and peck, and peck

the concrete is all they see

even though impermeable

the trees whisper to them

but they never look up

Ava DeMar is a freshman at the University of Michigan pursuing a degree in English. She enjoys reading, writing, going on walks, and making music.

Instagram: @avademar