Laura Walker



from bird book










                                                                                                                                  eastern kingbird



we saw him walking down from the store

coal headed


to be seldom visible




give in a series

                                      stutter

near water






















                                                                                                                         prothonotary warbler



half of numerous


we were dark      prominent


            two boys in the backseat


            large white peaches



                                                            to call


                                                            rapid


                                                            an only tree


                                    cavity


    sluggish or stagnant

or water






















                                                                                                                                  mourning dove



she awaits a violent body

our more abundant

the larger      a small


                                      ask him to come in






















                                                                                                                                  eastern phoebe



he followed her through the store


darkest head

told from


and out into the street


            compare the lack of

            syllable



                          leaves and rafters






















                                                                                                                                  house sparrow



obscuring as pastime

a combination of her

                          unstreaked and aggressive

                          she paused by the back steps




            abundant






















                                                                                                                            willow flycatcher



to lack what is prominent

            she has your eyes