On the Perch
A poem by Tina Hacker

On the Perch

I know how it feels
to belong to a small tribe.
You are different;
you can be isolated,
small bird always competing.

I know how it aches
to be pushed out of the crowd,
to watch from edges,
leaning in then leaning back,
beak open yet bare of seed.

I know how I fear
fierce aggressive enemies,
arrogant power,
forceful landings, haughty calls.
No acknowledgment of me.

I know how I want
to surrender to rage,
provoke pecking wars,
taste flesh of feathers, never
flinching from larger talons.

I know how to live
with hope that I will succeed.
I study the crow,
his skillfulness, his cunning.
I learn to dodge beaks and thrive.

About the Author:

Tina Hacker’s most recent poetry collection is titled GOLEMS. Originated in folklore, a golem is a mud and clay being summoned from the earth to accomplish a task dictated by its creator. After fulfilling the task, the golem returns to the earth, becoming mud and clay again. Tina is sure a golem helped her with her Poetry Breakfast submission.

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