you were stars
you were grains of sand
you were insects
then birds

you were noises
you were symbols
you were letters
then words

you were books
you were libraries
you were cities
then states

familiar
passenger
peculiar
then late

swarms like dust
like smoke like always
avarice
inclined

manifested
devastation
hourglassed
decline

earth keeps turning
dust of your bones
mortared pestled   
spun

millions
many
Martha
None

Ali Harwood is an artist, poet, writer and teacher based in Liverpool, England. He is the author and illustrator of ‘Liverpool Liver Birds’ – a poetic picture book for curious folk of all ages. He runs the monthly ‘Liver Bards’ poetry event and has recently performed work at Williamson Art Gallery and Museum, the Mersey River Festival, Smithdown Literary Festival and Toxteth Day of the Dead.