Fly by Night

Norbu the Parrot

By: Charles Giuliano - May 02, 2017

Fly by Night

Out of its cage at night
Norbu the parrot
Flying about
Perched on Yuri’s shoulder
Best of friends
Man and bird
Talking politics
Ready for bed
Weekend guest
Shared bathroom
Brushing teeth
Taking evening pills
Looked for a glass
None in sight
Hands cupped with water
Taking a gulp
Next night there it was
Blue enamel cup
Face down on the sink
Just the thing
Odd that brushes and paste
All in the tub
Away from Norbu
Foraging for food
Looked again
Where was the cup
Needing another drink
Just a few sips with pills
Glanced down
There in the tub
Soaking a set of teeth
How they howled
Convulsed bent over
Wife and sister
When I told them
My drinking tale
Sinking their teeth
Into a joke on me