birds in the park

there are free
cookies
at the front
of the store.
stale sugar
cookies, one
per customer,
but most are taking
two or three,
some four and
one for their
purse or
pocket. then
they hit the
cheese samples,
then off to the bread
plate, the meat,
a chunk or two
of melon,
some pineapple too.
all free, with
little toothpicks
stuck into
the chopped slices
of whatever
is given away.
they move easily
down the aisles
putting little
into their carts,
then circling
back for seconds,
or thirds,
like birds hovering
near park
benches awaiting
the tossed crumbs.