RETURNED

The grackle I first heard

Sixty years ago has had

His contract renewed

For another year.

(Grackles only die

If someone kills them.

A Minnesota grackle 

Died at twenty-three  

His suspected killer -- 

A sharp-shinned hawk --

Fled across the border 

Into Iowa.) I assume

There are reasons

He keeps turning up

But it may be that he

Understands them

Less than I do.

Grand sins call

For hellhounds

White, with red ears,

Grim but stylish,

Tracking relentlessly

Until some omen says

Says "Today might be

A perfect time

To go for his throat."

For small, graceless sins

Timeserving grackles

Follow you about

Grumbling and creaking

Like rusty gates.