what happens to the birds
when a tornado comes?
do they finally take cover
on the ground
or--
do they get swept into
a cool, grey oblivion
                          like me?

what if they don't make it
down in time?
do their feathers rumple
while they squawk and
protest?
their bodies being blown
     wildly
before
stopping
still
inside the cyclone?

Or,
  do they float into the
air
--above the cyclone
--above the clouds

to a sanctuary unseen?

Or,
what?