Texas Highways Xxii Poem by Armadillo Poet

So as a last sacrifice I am to make a gift
-The head of a grackle prepared-
Dried with sea salt and grain.

But since it's to be the last, I'm hesitant-
Even as I've been a faithful servant
-And contemplate scattering it
Like a curse to desiccate the fields.

Why am I not instead the hawk?
With my red-tail swirling as a twister
I'd've grabbed the bird-
Flapping from me between trees
-And offered it living to my queen
Who'd've picked its head clean off
And discarded it with her beak onto my porch.