are like a Red-cockaded woodpecker
pretending to be endangered
at a conference on bio-diversity
while stuffing yourself on canapes
like wood beetles. You
cackle your woodpeckery
laugh while the scientist
beside you is ablaze with eyes
that follow your measured nods,
you in your black cocktail dress
with the flash of red that says,
You have not seen me here before.

You cut your eyes at me just once
to say, unspeaking, Nice try,
Buster, but I will fly on
to the next tree now. Goodbye.