Arts + Scene » Poetry

The Pecking Order

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Watching the pecking order firsthand
At the bird feeder under the awning
Outside my kitchen window where,
This day, finches rule the roost.
The males sport bright red feathers,
Flashing flags sure to attract females.

Along comes a slender siskin, a diminutive
Tyrant who drives the larger birds away.
But soon the finches return to reclaim
Some of the space. She tolerates them
Skirmishing constantly around the feeder,
Until one drives the others off.

How like we humans, these feathered beings!

Felice Pace

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