The birds at dawn.

THE BIRDS AT DAWN

Dawn birds are guilty by association
with lovers, rogues, insomniacs and thieves.
The nestlings call in blind annunciation
and move the oak to shuffle in its leaves.

Now the rain comes, pecking at the boards.
Who whistled for the sun and got the rain?
They pitch their song to what the day affords,
as day comes tapping in with cup and cane.

--Jack Flavin [dagger]