the ululation
screeching from the meadow
in the darkness of pre-morning
is a courtship dance
lapwings in love
for a moment I thought
fire alarm
an ambulance
the nightmare from my childhood
with the aliens in it
no
it’s the sound of plover poetry
read with yellow beaks
and spur wings
KI-YAY-YAY-AY-YAY
KI-YAY-YAY-YAY
o sensual
o love-song
scream it loud
while circling above the paddock
while walking on the ground
around the cattle
scream
while stalking
suited like an undertaker
KI-YAY
KI-YAY
a scream in still-dark morning
but shush you
don’t disturb
the lovebirds
KI-YAY-YAY-AY-YAY
KI-YAY-YAY-YAY
~