A smallish hawk, sharp-shinned, I think it is,
lifts off and screams angrily at me, perhaps
I surprised this raptor bitch, I say she as the
males are robin-sized and she’s twice that as
Kansas females often are, not a redtail nor
a goshawk, but just as fierce and kick my
ass for screwing up her perfect perch for
spying wrens and mice and unsuspecting
meals-to-go, not one or two shrieks either
but a tirade as she flies away. I half expect
her to come back and buzz my head for
retribution, but do hawks feel that? Maybe
if nesting they get all in your face and
western but no nest near that I can see,
just the contrail of her anger or surprise.

Guinotte Wise
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