Jennifer L. Freed
Crossing Boundaries
The woods beyond the old stone walls
lot-by-lot scraped flat
for curving streets and backyard pools.
We see more of fox, deer, bear.
Today, a band of wild turkeys
strolls across a landscaped lawn
as though at a garden party.
A morning walker kneels,
whispers calmness to his yellow lab,
who barks, strains at his leash.
The turkeys do not falter.
They strut closer,
closer
toward sidewalk, man, dog,
and when the man moves
to take a photo, they flare
and still press forward,
all black and copper fret and glare.
Dark pinion feathers scrape fresh pavement.
They make a fricative hiss
as they approach.