His handsome plumage disguises
a high-flying dark underbelly,
a conniving thief in a tuxedo of feathers
as he lay in wait, silent witness
biding time until he can lunge at dinner
without thanking the unwitting chef.
Is the magpie more crow? A contradiction –
attractive harbinger of ill fortune portending
no songs for the bird prematurely uncracked
from his egg mid-gestation? Is the magpie
more peacock? Beautiful blue and white feathers
spread majestically, though boastful he
bounds with rowing wingbeats
while lesser birds wilt below.
The magpie is supposed to be intelligent.
He only knows how to be him.
Phillip Knight Scott | © 2019
Written for the Thursday Photo Prompt “harbinger” #writephoto from Sue Vincent
Often Mumbled Musings 
I love that last thought… which applies to all of us This one was certainly unique.
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Aaahh, those magpies are definitely a cheeky and bold bird…..
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Unique was the word I first thought of, for there is no other like him. Very special, I think!
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