Night Birds

At night, late past
twelve, I hear them.
 
Loud chirping birds
clear like night sounds
 
unmuddied by day
droning. They are
 
unapologetic. Sharp-
shouting, "I am heard!"
 
No contest for their
platform, no shove-
 
pushing, first-in-line
claim-staking. They
 
are joyous bastards.
 

4-5-13

Appeared in Eunonia Review, November 2013