It happened at a Beantown bar.
All the words I wanted to say
were said. I had simply run out–
the fricative hiss
of an empty keg.
I was shocked it came so soon.
I sensed my words were ending,
but thought they would fail slowly–
like dementia,
not a heart attack.
I’m now a mute. My vocal cords
and arcuate fasciculus, severed.
All that emerges now
is fricative silence–yet more profound
than all I’ve said before.
Pink Flamingos
The only bird of the family Phoenicopteriformes
Is the “flame-coloured” flamingo, so named by the Spanish.
A wader on long legs with an arcuate filtering bill;
An eater of shrimp and algae that pigment feathers pink.
Posed confidently, balanced on one leg to conserve energy,
They display beauty and grace under an aura of innocence
In a relaxed atmosphere, appearing flirtatious,
Congregating in pats, and exhibiting social behaviours.
In spring, the birds participate in mating rituals
Of synchronized dance steps, marching in unison
With necks stretched, heads flagging, and wings flapping
To encourage nesting and pair bonding.
***
Notes:
Phoenicopterus: "Phoenicopterus" is the Latin name for flamingo. Flamingo comes from the Portuguese or Spanish meaning “flame-coloured.”
Pat (aka Flamboyance): A "pat (aka flamboyance)" is a group of flamingos.
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