a magpie came walking
into my quiet yard
his presence was alarming
and put all birds en garde

he set up quite a stirring
of starling, sparrow, finch
their trills were far from purring
they did not give an inch

I think if he’d had his way
I know just what he’d do
he’d stir up all the feathered ones
and make a birdie stew

though magpies are scavengers
eating the spoils of other’s hands
I think given opportunity
they’d devour up the land

I know they’re much like grasshopper
and much unlike the ant
they’d rather reap their blessings
than sow a seed to plant

but hunger is a motivation
that has set hands in motion
and if it were great enough
they just might take the notion

to wield a wing, and fling a fling
sending feathers ‘round the sky
and let some other species
feast the day on humble pie