approximate translation from French expressions with the word « aile » (wing)
battre de l’aile (go to the dogs)
couper les ailes (à quelqu’un) (go to the dogs)
à tire d’aile (flapping its wings hard)
avoir du plomb dans l’aile (to be in jeopardy, to be cast into doubt)
prendre sous son aile (to take under one’s wing)
cold birds cutting
the wet and grey sky of
the changing climate
*first version published in 2019
we would be extremely cautious, in the face of fait accompli, be honest and say nothing grave or true. Clenching our teeth would be totally fine.
*posted in July 2019, reviewed in July 2020
I knew what strength was
but did not move
I spoke in parable
when respondent to answer unanswerable questions
I was already missing the silence of the streets
in the bright light that sounded
the death knell for the birds dreaming
of ancient dinosaurs