adapted from the podcast of Hrishikesh Hirway with Rostam
before there were lyrics or corvids
there was a beat
and a songbird named queer theory
~
the original beat
is nowhere
two ruffs: one to love
you sweetly
to be found layered with grackle
vinyl punk
three brants and the truth
pitch shifted
one does
so discreetly
chase them through a pane
the light refracts
~
no one can choose rhythm for you
mix vocal
chords unpredictable
and 70s synth
snare dynamics
hold the birds against the window
copy them measure by
measure–parts of your song
are going to access different moods–
capture a certain energy
in each length of wing
harmonically dense
with double-bass and cello
listen for the hum of distant insect armies
like snap of hollow bones
at the end
guitars and the trident
circuitry and voltage
plume circling a coil