The Silent Branches

If you are in a state
And in no way aware
Of being in that state,

Insofar as the state
Itself is in question,
Your lack of awareness

Of it strongly suggests
It’s not a conscious state.
Sometimes, watching mule deer

Run ahead of black cows
Rumbling through a meadow,
The bird on the bare branch

May quit singing, and you
May suddenly become
Aware that the bird was

Singing there for some time.
That was your subconscious
You recall but can’t be.