Friday, September 9, 2005, 10:46 pm
Dinosaur bird
SPRINGFIELD, MO. — Two old men, frail shadows, one recovering, one sinking, and I in between, wondering what had become of dignity.
I stepped out of my car, and a turkey crossed the empty street.
Dinosaur bird / I exchange looks: it, wary / I, slaked. Red/blue head snaking forward, back / each tentative step. Blue eyes lingering / feet relentless.
The turkey faded back into its world, and I crossed the threshold into mine:
Two old men, frail shadows, one recovering, one sinking, and I in between, wondering what had become of dignity.
David J. Ringer
