the pigeon is a bird of the city

swooping down past human heads

to find their prize or simply strut

in stride with people’s steps

the pigeon is a bird of the city

domestic, they house themselves

presumptuous, they pay no rent

opportunists, they are of this time and space

the pigeon is a bird of the city

eating scraps left with

or without intention

they need not pay any mind

for the pigeon is a bird of the city

subway shadows

dancing

to the beat of

up

and

down

Isabel Snyder is an emerging poet from Pittsburgh, PA. She is currently a senior at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania, where she is majoring in English with a concentration in literature and language. In her free time, she enjoys reading books, watching detective shows, and writing poetry. Upon graduating, she plans to pursue a career in education.