And the Ringmaster Said--

outside each emergency room // crows wait // a young woman walks by // red dress crashing cars the suburbs are no longer where the nests are built // the night parrots will never see the sun // wattle-throated pensioners board the first bus // peak hour our middle fingers raised / stabbing clouds in defiance // below the avian families flock to the shops // birds of one feather / come together Friday night // do not feed the common myna or give money to thin men on corners her nom de plume was Promise / breasts proudly pressed in her jacket of intent // on Saturday night the raptors strike // shirts tucked in / claws out // taxis record their flight plan // 15 birds in every corner // the roosters ready their crow