old birds

birds
seldom sit
on the wire
and complain
about how they
are getting old
how they hurt,
and how things
have changed.
you never hear
them say,
my wing, this left
one, I can't
move it up
like I used to.
I have to
throw my weight
to one side
in order to change
direction now.
I think it might
be arthritis,
or something else
they can't find
on the x ray.
and this cough, it's
no ordinary cough.
I could be
dead in a week,
or sooner, if
a cat doesn't
snare me while I'm
trying to pluck
a worm out
of the mud. I've
got no strength
in my neck anymore.
these worms are tough,
wiggling away
so fast.