Bird's-eye

 [Bird’s-eye] 

Their feet leave the earth a moment or two

then return anew with monotonous ado

one then the other the ground like glue

 

they transmit nonstop ever as they’re able

across a territory called a table

then disband to write up their latest fable

 

they stare betimes at the lost past

deeds not done go from small to vast

while deeds done render them aghast.

 

My bird’s-eye view takes in the whole she-bang

the hermit, the committee, the gang

great cities where they rave and hang

 

craving flight they fashion metal copies

that take-off, land all somewhat sloppy

some of them do this like drinking coffee

 

then they partake in the notable farce

peering at us to make time pass

through long tubes of magnifying glass

 

while others with nothing much to gain

who treat existence as a game

lift the muzzle and take aim.

 

They are prone to flights of fancy

and headaches and occasional lunacy

their minds a blur of accuracy

 

treating the skies like an open drain

visiting planets all in vain

who are they calling bird-brain?

 

Inside their tiny mountains of rest

they lumber about trying to do their best

we find small corners outside to nest

 

they lack the gift of a beak

making sounds with the tongue in their cheek

a thunderous way to speak

 

sing with the aid of cumbrous machines

warbles that more resemble screams

and words best left to remain in their dreams.