blackbird online journal spring 2002 vol.1 no. 1

POETRY

ELLEN BRYANT VOIGT | The Feeder

2.

Whenever the grosbeak comes, he comes
with his harem, lumps plain as sparrows,

and doesn't merely eat but preens,
never to be mistaken for some other.

The goldfinch "likes to travel in flocks"—
several indelible males, jostling,

careening up to the feeder, then away,
each a child on a stick, galloping;

and females, less spectacular,
shades of green and brown mixed into the yellow,

better to subside into the foliage. 

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