to Daedalus

Birds are not very nice to each other.

They threaten, injure, kill,
steal food,rob nests and abandon eggs
affirming my belief that nature
is seldom kind.

I love to watch them though,
especially the gulls of our harbor
their backs and wings
forming perfect
little freshly starched
flying nuns hats
as they rest on a stiff breeze.

My life long jealousy
for being earthbound
as they race by me
is somewhat lessened
when I see them squabble
over a disgusting tidbit
thrown to them
from the back
of a fishing boat.

But, I swear,

I would stay away

from

the sun
the moon
the stars

if you would only grant me
one day in the sky with them

escaping the anchor
of this heavy world.