Sympathetic Magpies
by William J. Harris
There is an old Chinese legend
About a weaving girl and a cowherd
Falling in love and being punished
By Heaven because she was celestial
And he was a mere mortal
Heaven only allowed them to meet
Once a year
On the seventh day
Of the seventh month
The magpies were so sympathetic
Each year
On that day
They made themselves
Into a bridge
Stretching across the Milky Way
So the lovers could kiss
Poems are sympathetic magpies
Bridges between lovers
Bridges between selves
Bridges between worlds
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