Down through backyard dogwood
and apple tree a dabble of red
dropped from the telephone wire

to splash in the shallow dish
of his quick reflection, flicked wing
on wing stirring things up,

trimming and combing the ruffled
tail coverts with conscientious
glee, but briefly, returning

to the singing wire fast
as he left it, whistle wetter, brighter
the bristled crimson cap and bib

rising from his self-
inflicted bloodbath like spark off flint,
a tassel of slash and burn.