Gorgonized

failed talons settle on the wire outside
my towered bedroom window

poor little would-be raptor
nothing but a chickadee dressed the clown
oh-so smartly so, I’ll admit
clad in your borrowed and donated tails
everything you have, bestowed or stolen

I really shouldn’t have, but I did, still do
I gave you my love, you begged for it so
so pretty with much-worn falsehoods
you never tire of singing the same old song

you were the one
you said so yourself
in you tenor-low chirps
raspy from the smoke

city life is hard on you
but then you get lonely in the country
swim a little too deep in the bird baths
deeper so, in the lakes and ravines

pickled, brined, and poisoned
gorgonized in the dark depths
out emerges not the little bird that went in
but a winged-hydra spouting venom
it must be got out
the wise get out of the way

sing all you want
pretty little bird
I wish you stronger wings
a well-feathered nest
a more truthful tune
but you will not be allowed in
until the gorgon within is dead

Image 1
Image 2 is a composite of two photos
https://pixabay.com/en/depressed-man-back-blue-muscular-390938/
https://www.goodfreephotos.com/vector-images/hydra-silhouette-vector-clipart

Gorgonized is copyright Pryde Foltz

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