turkeys scurry across corn fields
at 18 mph. foxes howl far from here.
kentucky has no fancy wildlife refuge
for them. what kentuckian would
pay $5 a carload to see wild turkeys?
certainly not me. the dogs i walk
hold them in no higher regard
than any other creature that dares dash
across their path. they break free of me,
leashes trailing, into ravine. and so I
go, run after, tumble down steep slopes,
startled shrieking, into shallow puddle
to find dogs barking up to a flock
roosting high above. long months
of leaf decay sticks to me. they call
this the herb layer? there is a smell.
i look round. realize i am the sight.
the animal on display–in disarray.
wild human. no one would pay $5
a carload to view me, either.
or would they?