Dead Blackbirds

A dead blackbird here
A dead blackbird there
Six more dead blackbirds 
Over there and there and there.

New Year’s Eve 2011.
I counted five, six, twelve, maybe twenty-seven.
Wait! Four more. We are up to thirty plus eleven.
Dead blackbirds on roofs. Dead blackbirds on walks.

Dead blackbirds in trees. None have their squawks.
Only in Arkansas, right? Someone said.
A year later in Kansas, a dead blackbird fell on my head.
Maybe but I do not know, I quickly replied.
Then I saw another, so I ran off to hide.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2022

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Rodrigues Avatar
September 28, 2022 at 10:52 AM
I’d be scared if something was killing the birds!
Krutsinger Avatar
September 29, 2022 at 7:51 AM
This was apparently something that happened once upon a time.
Hankins Avatar
September 27, 2022 at 10:45 AM
Are you suggesting that something is killing off the blackbirds? I don't mind them as long as they are not starlings!
Krutsinger Avatar
September 27, 2022 at 11:46 AM
There was an article about this - it really did happen.
Fowler Avatar
September 27, 2022 at 7:52 AM
Good thinking. When is a blackbird a Duck!
Krutsinger Avatar
September 27, 2022 at 11:46 AM
Sometimes but not always
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