Skinny Roosters

Roosters are so presumptive
Occupying city with an arrogance typically reserved
for white Americans
They stippled broken sidewalks inside the labyrinth
of tilted shanties
Shocked at their diminutive stature
it occurred to me afterwards that our roosters at home are far too fed

Sidewalks were streets, streets were doorways
Gates leading to homes mistaken as exits
Dogs, cats, children, roosters, rats- all jostling
Roofs overhang, sagging from humid humanity
Laundry criss-crossed in peace flags from window to window
Rigging of a painted, swaying ship in a Thai slum

A bloat-belly kitten struggled under a bench
Occupants of this riverside world stared
knowing before we did that this was a wrong turn
Everywhere winding, roosters stood
Quiet and pecking and numerous
They watched as we slowly wound our way out

They insist their presence this morning
Answered by brothers caged on the rooftop next to mine
Throated greetings rising from shanties along the water
fill pre-dawn grey creeping through smog-lined silhouettes

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