meg heffernan / poem

Last Week

Someone took me to Florida.

Pushed me in the water. Left me

for alive. There were ibises

in the parking lot near

the beach café and sailor’s

ears on the shore. I began to fear

I would morph into a yellow cockle

or a cat’s paw. My skin shredded

into sand. White arms became

snowy egrets and flew away.

My feet, spotted sandpipers

who ran down the beach into

and away from the breaking

waves. When my torso 

took on the form of a great blue 

heron, I stretched my glossy neck,

shook my plumage free

and took to the skies

where I was not alone.

---

Meg Heffernan is a poet living in New Paltz, New York. Born in Detroit, she’s lived in

various cities on both coasts. Meg has a B.A. in English from the University of New

Hampshire and has worked as a writer-editor in book and online publishing; in child-

and elder care; and as a direct support professional caring for individuals with

developmental disabilities. She has studied poetry in its many forms with Dr. Elline

Lipkin.