Don't feed by Rae White
Don’t feed
Transcript:
Don’t feed
Don’t feed
Turns out maggies like schmackos.
If their black-white feathers
look bedraggled and spent
chances are they’re old and without
teeth, so halve flat egg-shaped treat
and throw it directly
in open beak. Like a bard
they’ll thank you with
repetitive song.
Turns out one maggie
brings many. Soon you’ll have
a baker’s dozen
basking on the bitumen
at your feet. Don’t be alarmed
when the 13th is a crow.
I think that’s lucky
perhaps. Anything is lucky
in years like this - if birds
if birds
if birds
if birds
are alive and you’re outside
count yourself. Count your teeth
behind your mask. And ask yourself
how many teeth is the right
amount? How many
is too many?
Turns out birds don’t have teeth
but their beaks and swoops
are just as sharp.
Fling all the schmackos
in their direction as diversion
and run. Govt guidelines state
masks must be worn during exercise
and hasty escapes. You don’t know
which this is but you do know
sweat is crawling against your
spine and your muggy breath
is wheezing up your nose.
Turns out you should’ve read
the new sign. Things have
changed ’round here.
Turns out beaks aren’t
just for swallowing
schmackos or seed
skin
or sinew
scapula
or scalp
Turns out no matter your
fitness or kindness
you can’t outrun
the birds
the birds
the birds
