the egrets have returned after the pyrotechnics the screeching and sudden pops after the noise cannons the lasers and the lopping off of thick branches after men in hazard suits stumble about cursing complaining of the smell war against white birds with crowns resting atop curved necks every day they fly to the landfill to snack on insects buzzing above garbage and interfere with aircraft according to the Air Force according to the city and so the rookery must go the scheduled deferment of the birds today on the island near the bridge toward the east end of the lake the egrets have returned
