I saw one today

one of those plastic pink Flamingos

people put out in their yards

to give a tropical look

but this one was faded out

blistered by the summer sun

and looked sickly and confused

stuck in the brittle ground

its head looking down for water

the abandoned Flamingo

was turning yellow

stuck in hardened ground

it tilted to one side

it could not fly

it could not migrate

with metal legs

and plastic wings

it will never fly away to

cool soothing waters

or know the fun of wading

in a refreshing pond

cars drive by

but pity lingers

the poor Flamingo

a bird so out of place

an ornament without the joy

of air beneath its wings.

 

-d.knape