That sparrow on the iron railing, 
not worth a farthing, purchases a realm 
its shrill cries measure, trading 
dying for being. 
It's up to no good, 
out to overturn a kingdom 
just by swooping into the right kitchen, 
or upsetting somebody's aim. 
For my pleasure, I'll call it Good News, 
or Little Egypt. For my delight, 
I'll think of it as needle and thread. 
Or a breathing remnant 
restored to a living cloth. 
Or scissors 
trimming lament 
to allow for everything I don't know. 
For my happiness, I'll call it 
Pocket Dictionary Full of Words in Another Language. 
For my gladness, Feathered Interval, 
The Deciding Gram, Geronimo. 
For nothing, Monument to the Nano.


 



