Emu

This poem appears in the 2003 issue of pms: poemmemoirstory.


Emu

Am I a flightless ratite
(with unkeeled sternum),

bound to earth and children,
swollen bellied

kin to self-blinded ostrich?
Often.

But today, I’m a
turtle, euphoric in mud,

plodding on strong legs,
pond in sight.