The Second Parakeet Poem by Gavin Turner

I had a beautiful parakeet

when I was a child


One day, its foolish feathers failed to shine

and was found in the sawdust at

the bottom of the cage


Wise Mother

Knowing the upset this would cause

rushed out to the store for a replacement


and picked the perfect imposter

coloured plumes in symmetry

copycat curve to the beak

and inquisitive shine to the eyes


And yet despite her efforts in

securing the doppelganger

I knew it wasn’t the same pet


And that is why

I had to kill that one as well