A beautiful wide winged
bird led a squalling
flock of regular, unremarkable
black birds; an exodus
from the west. Their calls
were frantic, hysterical
and caused the big bird
to take a rest on the sidewalk,
dropping his floundering prey
on the morning-warmed
concrete. Perhaps the strength
of their community would dissuade
him or their calls implant second
thoughts, but then he flew
up to the rooftop where
the blackbirds had congregated
and they scattered,
like blown ash.