It's dusk as I park the car.
A flutter and a flurry by the curb.
I turn off the ignition.
I wait.
I don't wait long.
The ballet begins.
The Premier Dancer emerges,
Positions himself on the curb.
The corps de ballet softly follows,
Emerging from the bushes
By twos and threes.
The Premier Dancer watches me.
His flock delights me
As they dart about
In groups ever-changing.
He remains poised, unmoving
The tempo escalates!
They shake their bobbing feathers.
They extend their necks.
They dash across the parking lot!
I count them as they go.
Three, then two, then five.
Sixteen have made their exit.
Still he watches.
At last he moves.
He approaches.
He is barely an arm's length away.
He turns to face me.
Are you watching ?
Do you see my beauty?
Am I not magnificent?
Are you impressed?
With a flick of his slender plume
He turns.
He is gone.
Ballet Quail de Monterey.
A flutter and a flurry by the curb.
I turn off the ignition.
I wait.
I don't wait long.
The ballet begins.
The Premier Dancer emerges,
Positions himself on the curb.
The corps de ballet softly follows,
Emerging from the bushes
By twos and threes.
The Premier Dancer watches me.
His flock delights me
As they dart about
In groups ever-changing.
He remains poised, unmoving
The tempo escalates!
They shake their bobbing feathers.
They extend their necks.
They dash across the parking lot!
I count them as they go.
Three, then two, then five.
Sixteen have made their exit.
Still he watches.
At last he moves.
He approaches.
He is barely an arm's length away.
He turns to face me.
Are you watching ?
Do you see my beauty?
Am I not magnificent?
Are you impressed?
With a flick of his slender plume
He turns.
He is gone.
Ballet Quail de Monterey.
