The Cattle Egret Poem by Faith Elizabeth Brigham

he struts across
the plaza parking lot
like he was mr. universe
proud as hell to
be the cattle egret
that he is

his appearance is
flawless except for
the perpetual grease spots
on his back from slipping
under parked cars looking
for bugs and lizards to eat

this is his fourth winter here
and i feel compelled to
name him something
charlie seems to suit him
though he won't to this day
answer to anything he's called