The Box

He has learned to lift the lid

and creep into the feeder.



It is filled with sunflower,

millet seed, peanut, and cracked corn.



He pauses, gazes through the scratch-fogged plastic,

grazes until his face is fat.



Upward again, mouth full, he chews, dangles

awkwardly (it looks painful) over the sharp cut edge.



back in

up and over

back and

over

down and

up



Wishing the gift,

unwilling to trade freedom.