Starlings sieged the city, sending
scruffy sparrows, steely jays,
and scarlet cardinals retreating.
Murmurations swell and scrounge
as they root through our rife refuse
strewn autumnal on the ground.
We brought them here, these
sleek and sharp invaders.
Imported to New York in a
nod to William Shakespeare.
Though only mentioned once
in all the playwright’s works,
we hoped they might inspire-
bring culture to our shores.
Now, two hundred million
midnight-spattered birds
mimic songs and stars.
The fault is ours
that this city is theirs.
pm poetry 