Conventional

When I returned home last weekend I marveled this outside-the-box family, even the members I had never met before.  I caught myself thinking I am conventional, in comparison.  No.  Really... no.

I met extended family

Last week.                    

We walked through

The bird sanctuary

In the snow,

Had a close encounter

With a ruby-crowned kinglet,

The female version,

Minus the distinctive

Ruby crown.

My toes were frozen

By the end.

We are a motley crew.

Still

I thought

I am the most conventional

Of the lot.

A ruby-crowned kinglet, perhaps,

In female disguise.

It seems I may have failed

Conventionality.

I was a parish priest

But it was early

In the game.

Now I stand

With half a license

In mental health.

Here

I have arrived late

In the game,

Whatever game it is.

It seems I barely know

Conventional.

I would not recognize it

If it hopped onto a branch

Six feet from my head

Like the ruby-crowned kinglet,

Female,

Without the ruby crown.

It seems I need

Yet another

Conventional guide

To birds.