Ostrich (Poetry)

From chick — all fluff and feet and wide-eyed gaze —
she grew into her strutting self, long-legged,
standoffish, temperamental. Preening took
increasing portions of each sulky day.

Distant and aloof, her attitude
barely tolerant, her moods perverse,
her stare intense, inscrutable beneath
a screen of curling lashes, waterproof.

Often skittish, seeming poised to run,
plumage ruffled, ears pricked for a sign
of disapproval, calculating ploys
to keep us guessing or from getting close.

As discussion’s not an option, she retreats —
too big to dominate, too fiercely dumb
for listening to anything like truth —
turns on her heel and sinks her head in sand.