I’m frightened today for
the ivory-billed woodpecker
because he
is a beautiful affirmation
in the face of
degradation and waste
and as such is
a good excuse for
doing nothing

see, they will say
after every binge
there’s still a half-full bottle
somewhere

I’m frightened
for the ivory billed woodpecker
because it’s no coincidence
to some people
that there may be more
in Cuba

the passenger pigeon
and the Carolina parakeet
sit in a Manhattan loft whispering
that the ivory billed woodpecker’s
sold out

the bison hits his cell hourly
and tells him reemergence
isn’t all it’s cracked up
to be

and the scientists
will argue about his feathers
reclassify him
and make him as real
as the posters they’ve fingered
for years

someone
pinch me
I’m dreaming
says the researcher
that can’t be
it is
it can’t be

meanwhile
the bird
pretends he doesn’t know
he’s been extinct
and knocks on a few more trees

hello I’m back
hello it’s me
I call myself
levorantioreloakackackor
what you call me is irrelevant

I am frightened for the
ivory-billed woodpecker
because
he is no longer as historic or tragic
as we prefer our myths to be

Tonight at QVCC: Where Your Mouth Is

A benefit for the Central Mass. Food Bank

Features Patty Keough, Regie Gibson, Tony Brown

Suggested Donation: 15 bucks / 10 with Student ID

Quinsigamond Valley Community Center is at 16 Greenwood Street, Worcester.

Open doors at 7:30 — show starts at 8:00

+++++++++++++++++

A personal note:

Show the fuck up and put your money where your mouth is! The whole idea of this series to get away from the notion that art is best involved with change and social support strictly as a form of commentary. Here, the work is in service to something specific, once a month.

So come down to the new venue and show your colors.