with apologies to Wallace Stevens
I
The audience went wild.
There were blackbirds in the trees.
II
Driving to breakfast in early June
I feel like pasta primavera
and blackbirds in the trees.
III
The strange sound at five AM
from the blackbirds in the trees
made me get up
and check the refrigerator.
IV
Curbside the Harleys
discuss Wittgenstein
and the blackbirds in the trees.
V
Without blackbirds in the trees
I wouldn't have the mind of summer.
VI
The mime outside my window
keeps me abreast of the progress made
by the blackbirds in the trees.
VII
I would like to think
the thoughts of an Afghan hound
as he picks up the scent
of blackbirds in the trees.
VIII
Having flown the trees
the blackbirds hit the road
in a green DeSoto.
IX
The tree line is of little interest
to the blackbirds
who have returned from shopping
dog-tired and laden with gourmet snacks.
X
There are one, two, three blackbirds
in the memory of trees.
XI
Little wonder the blackbirds in the trees
regard a ream of paper with horror.
XII
I fancy myself an ornithologist
whenever I attend a commencement
of blackbirds.
XIII
At the sight of blackbirds in the trees
I move to the far right lane.
