were I a true birder I’d know the cycle of cardinals or else be recording how long it’s taken the little green wife to build the nest by the kitchen window I’d be keeping track of how many sitting days how often she takes a brief break how many days from hatching to empty nest how many songs her worthless husband sings yes yes he’s entertaining her maybe he’ll help with the feeding we’ll see meanwhile I don’t go out the kitchen door I navigate from stove to sink on hands and knees so as not to catch her wary eyes through the pane

© Jacqueline Jackson 2009