Birds of America

from Out With Lanterns, a daily poetry practice

Right now in parts of America, 
it might be better to be born
a bird than to be born a girl.
A robin whose nest is disturbed 
can decide whether to return. 
No punishment, no judgment. 
Ornithologists say it’s natural.
She’ll just re-nest elsewhere.
For women now, it might be better
to be born a pigeon, sidewalk 
hobbling, one-eyeing the flaking
croissant above. Better that
than the pregnant girl 
at the cafe dropping crumbs, 
hoping her kindness 
might grant her wish
to switch places with the bird.

Photo by Reed Naliboff on Unsplash