There’s a pigeon
that pecks his way around the yard
with the chickens
& has a deformed wing like a dislocated shoulder
pure gray
& like a molded fender on a superdupe car

But he’s sick and can’t fly
& takes his chances with the roosters
& the goats
which really do eat paper
& one goat has full udders
that hang between her legs
like two balls and a chain
with long horned teats
which hobble her

& somehow the pigeon touched me
& the sea beyond
& the goat
& the rooster
with the black so black
tail feathers they burn green
& has red wattles too

My heart aches sweetly
faint wonder in my chest
why I’m still alive
& writing