Magpie Lament

The magpies are warring—again

My brother and I fight

whose turn is it?

In the garden, on the patio

a worm wriggles away

A push

he cries and runs to her

Loose magpie feathers on the patio steps—

stained with blood. It hops away

A frown

Now, I cry

Perhaps I’ll call my brother

later in the week