Agapornis Personata
(Masked Love Birds)

It's their use of color that gets me: languid
& brazen, when they should be shy.

Why is the tip of green so desperately shocking?
Filament wings, in all their jaunty

dare…I asked the man what he wanted for the pair.
I want that they continue, he said. & you name

them yin & yang. & this one here, so sherbet
& tender, as if bleached poppies could up & fly.

In their distinctive chatter, odd endearments:
Petal Wing, let me map your town

of downy kisses. Sugar-beak, pack up your weekend
bag of blue joy.