Aerie

Sparrow's caught,

Collared by grassy noose

Protruding

Out her nest

Hidden

In Astro's patio light.

Garroted 

Birdie swings

From Googie ceiling,

Writhes

Behind me as

My toast is served,

We alert to action:

Martine the busboy

Gets ladder,

Patty our waitress

Finds scissors,

Myrna sets ketchups

Down.

Martine ascends ladder

While I steady it,

Unwinds mired-being

From 'tanglement,

Clips

Lariat off her tufted

Throat,

She eschews fingertips,

Propels

Through curtaining

Leaves.

Laura Stickney 2021

Notes: 

aerie--A bird's nest built high on a crag

Googie--A type of futurist architecture

influenced by car culture. Mainly refers

to Coffee Shop design of the 50's and 60's.

Pronounced "GOO-jee"

eschews--to avoid, reject