Flipping the Bird

by Ryan Quinn Flanagan

Three boys
back from corner convenience
share pop rocks
and soda.

Stopping by the curb
they stand over a dead bird
in the street.

The oldest one kicks at it
a few times.

Flipping the dead bird over
from its stomach onto
its back.

After staring at it for a moment
they move on.

Towards the townhouses along Baily Lane
with cardboard over the
windows.