---

 

This writing was accepted for publication in the 108 page perfect-bound ISSN# / ISBN# issue/book “Formative” Down in the Dirt, v170 (the Apr. 2020 Issue) Order the paperback book:

Order this writing that appears in the one-of-a-kind anthology Foundations the Down in the Dirt Feb.-April 2020 issues collection book		get the 322 page Feb.-April 2020 Down in the Dirt 6" x 9" ISBN# paperback book:

Order this writing in the book inside the box the 2020 poetry & art collection anthology		get the 262 page poetry & artwork & photography collection anthology as a 6" x 9" ISBN# paperback book:

Getaway

Copyright Scott Waters, 2019

Cafe table
in the shade

sunshine creeping
across the scuffed sidewalk

a man and woman
sit down across from me
placing on the table
a black cage
containing a snow-white cockatiel

the woman feeds the bird
chunks of scone through the bars
talking in a hushed voice
as if to a baby

while a speckled grey pigeon
walks back and forth between our tables
snatching up crumbs

*

a father
with a small boy on his shoulders
approaches the couple

“Why is the bird in a cage?”
the boy asks.

The man smiles.
“Oh, he’s safer this way.
He won’t get hit by a car.”

“But why is the bird in a cage?”
the boy persists.

The man just smiles.

The pigeon continues
its head-bobbing pursuit of lunch
between our tables

then with a rustle of wings
the dirty-looking bird
rises into the empty blue

the boy
still high on his father’s shoulders
watches the bird
glide around the corner of a building
and disappear

while the woman
offers the cockatiel
another bite of scone.

Copyright of written pieces remain with the author, who has allowed it to be shown through Scars Publications and Design.Web site © Scars Publications and Design. All rights reserved. No material may be reprinted without express permission from the author.

Problems with this page? Then deal with it...