(Photo by Jessica Carbone McKinney)
PECKING ORDER
Each morning with the
lightening sky
A cardinal comes as if to spy
A cardinal comes as if to spy
He perches on the
window ledge
And peers upon my rumpled bed
And peers upon my rumpled bed
Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap.
He beckons me, “Rise.”
Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap.
Can’t he sense his demise?
Propped on my elbow,
I level a glare
Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap.
Back at me he stares
His flaming beauty
unsurpassed
Reflected in the
sunlit glass
Black blazing eyes
into me seer
Head cocked he shows
no hint of fear
Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap.
“Awake. Arise.”
Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap.
“Open up your eyes.”
His message is clear.
He will not be swayed
Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap.
Just go away!
Persistent as the
summer rain
He pecks upon my
windowpane
Determination in his
stance
Posture conferring,
“You don’t stand a chance!”
Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap.
My unwelcomed guest
Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap.
Please give it a rest!
Silently I plead for
one hour more
Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap.
My pleas he ignores.
Obstinate he proves
to be
As from slumbers
depths he rouses me
I must concede
defeat. He wins
I swear. I’m sure. I
saw him grin!
No sooner do my feet
touch floor
Then above the trees
he dips and soars
No fool am I to
celebrate retreat
For tomorrow we again
shall meet.
Donna M. Carbone
2008
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