Lena
hope is the thing with feathers
that perches in the soul
that perches in the soul
Mittens, satisfied that the sea panther had found butterflies to chase instead of being anywhere near itself, settled for humming random phrases and motions under its breath and hovering above Lena’s shoulder. The Caretaker, used to the notions, simply shrugged and smiled, moving more weeds away from precious soil, and making room for new herbs to settle in.
She could hear him working thereafter, and when nothing came but inquiries about her companion (a common happenstance – Lena understood and wasn’t tired of them), she had to permit one light round of laughter. “One of those strange events we always somehow get pulled to – this one had ice castles. Felt like a dream. But Mittens was there, and bonded to me when I reached a certain point.”
She could hear him working thereafter, and when nothing came but inquiries about her companion (a common happenstance – Lena understood and wasn’t tired of them), she had to permit one light round of laughter. “One of those strange events we always somehow get pulled to – this one had ice castles. Felt like a dream. But Mittens was there, and bonded to me when I reached a certain point.”
and sings the tune without the words
and never stops at all
and never stops at all
