Programming

The white chalk lining of the egg,
the folds of the translucent membrane,
the red scribble on the surface of the yolk—
say: Cowbird.

The hatchling accepts this first lesson
and overwrites all later programs.
Its courtship language comes embedded
in the firmware

between the hard layer of shell
and soft albumin, threaded through
the cellular architecture clear down
to the core.


Collection available! Knocking from Inside