Friends overseas
think it’s eccentric
cute
that we have birds
that can’t fly.
It’s not as if
our birds are damaged
defective, puckeroo.
It’s not as if
our birds are stupid
dense
flunked School C flying.
It’s not as if
our birds are lackadaisical
lazy
just can’t be bothered.
Or too busy with other priorities.
Or following a more grounded
lifestyle.
Or reformed addicts,
part of a support group
for recovering flyers.
It’s not some philosophical, or religious, or
principled stand
against flight.
Or extremist adherence to the laws
of gravity.
Or that they’ve lost their licence
or their nerve.
At first our friends
don’t believe we
have flightless birds.
But when they find
it’s true, they think
it’s funny.
Evolution
is not a laughing matter.
A good flap through of the possibilities, and, in the end, as you note, not a ‘laughing matter’!
I reckon if line 12 reads ‘flunked flying school’ instead, it would help improve the ear-flow.
It is fascinating though and possibly in 1 million years time they will grow fingers & arms and build aeroplanes