“my brother; bronzed grackle”
scavenger. seed eater. called a boy
strawberry with a sneer in his beak.
because he’s all red and pink. underripe.
too early for picking. he’s soft. strawberries
aren’t soft. no, soft means a bitch. unwanted
definition. was my brother ever soft?
feathers always askew. all hard lines, tight
fade, close crop. i’ve heard his voice break
like birdcry. sharp, startling. not soft.