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I like to tease grackles.
When they scold me for sitting outside,
I give them back talk
in fake Gracklese.
My foreign accent confuses them.
“What? Speak up!” they snap.
I mouth off again
inviting a stream of birdish invective.
When they have finished --
eyes bulging, faces red beneath the feathers,
heads jerking in many directions --
I give them a last mumbled riposte.
I smile at doves and sparrows
contemplate hawks and (once)
an African parrot from Tempe
but for the bully of the back yard –
an avian Bronx cheer.
© by Julia Fleeman.
Used with the author's permission.
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Julia Fleeman is a former librarian who now teaches Yoga to senior citizens in Phoenix, Arizona. Her work has been anthologized and has appeared online in several venues. Julia says her hobbies are drinking coffee and laughing.
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susiethornton:
As one who has also written poetry about birds talking, I appreciated the humor and the "stream of birdish invective."
Posted 03/11/2022 03:10 PM
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Lori Levy:
Like the humor in this poem. Great ending.
Posted 03/09/2022 06:35 PM
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Larry Schug:
I wish those grackles would not bring their gang of starlings with them to our feeders. I do really like their portrayal in this poem. The banter between grackle and human is delightful. I wish I'd have thought of that.
Posted 03/09/2022 02:00 PM
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Glen Sorestad:
A most enjoyable poem, Julia. Sparring with grackles successfully is not an easy act.
Posted 03/09/2022 12:06 PM
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paradea:
Grackles just wanna have fun!!! Cute poem!!
Posted 03/09/2022 08:53 AM
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Michael:
What fun! Delightful poem Julia.
Posted 03/09/2022 08:47 AM
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mail@schoolbusmart.com:
I would never heckle or hackle, much less tackle a grackle.
Fun piece. Thanks, Randy
Posted 03/09/2022 07:35 AM
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