Eastern towhee flits along garden edge
picking here and there
its movements assumed to be
intentional to casual observers
who imagine a search for food
or a gathering of sprigs for a nest.
Last night was a mystery;
a kiss, then a hug followed by a tirade
seemingly without a purpose.
Was there intent to hurt,
to inflict an invisible ****
deep inside her chest?
Cowbirds leave their eggs in towhee nests
expecting the towhee to hatch them.
The cowbird knows its purpose.
Unlike the bird, he seems unaware
that consequences ride
on the back of his behaviors
like mites cling to a wing.
He wanted to assert himself
to make clear his desires.
He didn't intend to wound her heart.
Jul 1, 2015
Jul 1, 2015 at 2:37 PM UTC
Eastern towhee flits along garden edge
picking here and there
its movements assumed to be
intentional to casual observers
who imagine a search for food
or a gathering of sprigs for a nest.
Last night was a mystery;
a kiss, then a hug followed by a tirade
seemingly without a purpose.
Was there intent to hurt,
to inflict an invisible ****
deep inside her chest?
Cowbirds leave their eggs in towhee nests
expecting the towhee to hatch them.
The cowbird knows its purpose.
Unlike the bird, he seems unaware
that consequences ride
on the back of his behaviors
like mites cling to a wing.
He wanted to assert himself
to make clear his desires.
He didn't intend to wound her heart.
*One of my favorite writers, E. F. Schumacher notes why there is often pain and misunderstanding in relationships. "…we tend to see ourselves primarily in the light of our intentions, which are invisible to others, while we see others mainly in the light of their actions, which are visible to us, we have a situation in which misunderstanding . . . is the order of the day."
Request permission to use this poem