Geese

Anser domesticus

Geese – how imperious!
They stretch their necks up high and flap their wings
and hiss and honk and sideways size you up
through orange-rimmed lorgnettes.

Grandly plumed, they are full of disparagement
and treat the whole world with contempt.
Loud and quivering with rage, they strut away complaining
the food is always late, and never enough.

Stupid, too, and supercilious.
When the butcher comes, they’ll tell the world at length
THEY HAVE THE GRAVEST DOUBTS
WHETHER THE LITTLE MAN REALLY KNOWS HIS BUSINESS.

- David Morphet 2004