Morning Meeting

The birds don't need a pot of coffee
for their morning meeting in the tree
outside my window. No one is getting

fired. The quarterly reports are
projecting sustained growth and the whole
company is expanding steadily.

Once the news of this is announced
there is a consensus of chirps
at their good fortune.

I've been listening in to their meetings,
watching them come and go in their
business casual plumage.

It's a good time to be a bird. I hear
some of them are looking for branches
in trees by beachside real estate.

Company

There is a mouse in my kitchen
but I am not afraid.
He is hungry
and scurrying to remain
out of sight.
I don't wish to impose
an end to his life,
nor would I wish
an end imposed on mine
because of a desire
to sate my hunger.
I sit alone at my table
but I no longer
hear those tiny paws.
I eat in silence
and watch the steam
rise above my mug
of coffee as it dissipates
into the cold air.