"The bird is evil," you shout
as you run towards me,
jabbing your finger at the barn swallows,
feeding their chicks.
I try to explain dumb beast love
mother and father barn swallow
dart to find food; push it
into their chicks' gaping mouths
sword to flower.
But, how would you know a parent's care?
You are left at home, left at school,
and left at child care . . .
dumb beast love.