After not being there yesterday,
the janjarak black-winged stilts
have come back to the lake.

There are seven standing on a dead log
towards the lake’s drying centre—
one with wings a lighter grey—
an adolescent still,
most likely.

Death does not roll on 
in a linear way.
Life returns amidst it.

As essential life is freed up
by it.

The Earth itself will 
eventually
go this way.