THE SWALLOW'S SONG by Keith Hoerner

engrossed with millions of americans in others’ misfortunes

     movement distracts me

     from the nearly two-hundred pound nine year old on tv

     you carry a juicy earthworm in your bone-colored beak

     to feed three tiny, ravenous chicks

     nestedinthefosterholly outside my window

the image of padlocks on pantries

screaming boy man, sobbing mother

    then you again – wings spread victorious

    return with another twisting morsel

millions of pixels shed light on

conflicted emotions

pastel-plastic cafeteria trays

moderated portions face down on the floor

    ah, the image of you

    the even-measured pace with which you feed

     so naturally

     beaks wide open

     tufts of plumage

     sunlit-exposed organs through tissue-paper skin

commercial-sponsored judgment is rendered

guilt through gluttony

human failing

self-will run riot

tormented guests stand, starve for tangible solutions

credits roll                                                                                                             

as you fly away with the 

one                 true                             answer

Keith Hoerner (PhD candidate) is founding editor of the Webby Award recognized Dribble Drabble Review, an ezine and print anthology series of all things "little-ature.” He is also managing editor of Southern Illinois University’s renowned Crab Orchard Review. His award-winning writing has been featured in 190+ venues across five continents.