Ornithology 101

Bird flattened on the
pavement like a
cubist project on
perspective, no longer
identifiable by species.

Sparrow nest in the
eaves of the bus shelter --
fledgling peeping out
the gnawed-round hole,
paper wasps' nest for
a next-door neighbor.

Falcons, sharp-swept wings
raking the sky
like sand in a zen garden

Magpie mocker
stealing songs, sounds,
pouring them back,
profligate,
into moonlight.

Betsy McKenzie
June 30, 2007