Audobon Garden

i went walking in the garden, saw a little sparrow sitting on the arbor. she was singing, i was listening, it was more eternal grace than i could harbor. saw a magpie, brave and so sly, pilfering her bits of foil for the fodder. saw a pelican, skate on the wind, genuflect her silver wingtips to the water. saw a black crow, steady as she goes, glide beside her pretty witches in the autumn. saw a starling, oh my darling, just because she's beautiful don't mean you bother her. saw the finches, sweet as peaches, belly up like golden easter eggs for barter. saw a warbler, righteous martyr, cracked her neck and spilled her blood upon the altar. then a harpy, who looked just like me, teeth of steel and razor talons for the slaughter, she said, smiling, "don't be frightened. where'd you think you'd go once you were no onesu0027 daughter?" then the heron, owl, and falcon tore me limb from limb and spread me thin as butter. said the sparrow, flying backwards, "mind what beckons you to tread into my garden."