Bird Swerves

Blackbird called Redwinged

                                                    and I

           both

           startle when I stand and turn;

 

Bird expertly 

                     swerves, flies on

but I

 

spend a few thousand mind moments

stopped and blank.

 

Now please don't think

              I've never seen that red wingstripe before.

I have, of course. Once I

 

and a female

                           Redwing hoped to mate with

              were even treated to a whole

intentional display. Spreading for sex

 

Bird hopped

            at my feet

 

                          and wouldn't get out of the way. See see see

my nice stripe!

                         he urgently said.

 

             "I do,"

                       I said,

                                     "if that's any help";

but this

            unexpected

            airborne

            almost-fluorescence

was unearthly, not endearing.

 

I could only take it in

             belatedly;

                           as the mind, it seems,

knows its own intentions

 

only after a delay

            the hand reaching for the glass

before the brain has been apprised.

 

            (They've proven this on MRI's.)

 

I was surprised surprised.

People, too, can take your breath away:

 

talent in a proven fool

betrayal by a love.

                                        Then

 

you have to swerve

                                       way fast

                 or crash the whole damn truck.

             

                Linda Bamber