The Scarlet Ibis, Section VII

Bird
 
Once, I got lost, 
flew over that place,
saw the tourists in their wrinkled  pastels.
The memorial between the barracks B 
The bronze barbed-wire figures twisted
to torment, the wedged-shaped
building, its barred entrance,
the strip of marble extending
through a hole in the roof,
the menorah resting at the top.
I felt weak
and landed on it.
No one could believe what they saw B 
me resting there B 
so they pretended not to see.
(pause)
I stood for much more than a moment,
watched all those bare legs 
move from spot to spot,
thought how much I needed
to find a way back
to my flock.


Lady
 
And you expect me to believe this?

 
Bird
 
As I do you  
(pause)
and do not.