The Dinkie Bird

Life

Swinging back and forth

back and forth

with the red mercury

as blood
rising

rising

up the neck

to the tip of the head

into the cup

of water

its food

to continue the swing

from one extreme

to another

Hesitating

only when the drink

comes to a start again

and as the tall

blown glass bird

of the yellow

top hat

becomes weaker with

each drink

until at last

everything freezes

in the frame

of the photo of the moment

we each

swing back and forth

never knowing

when we will

stop of our own accord

or being knocked

from the table

to crash

on the floor

all that goes

swings back and forth

day to day

to and fro