you were the lions of empire
captured in local granite
you cling to your perches
as tightly as the shells
that gave birth to cicadas
those one-hit wonders
cultured in the dark
like wheels of cheese
you travel sitting down
or sleeping in compartments
raised on air quotes you lift
an eyebrow to the breeze
if a cocktail or paving stone
can become ordnance
the sky’s the limit to what
feathered lead might fall
a rampant weather fit
to exterminate vermin