Mr. Spike

Mr. Spike

I taught my bird to talk.
He says “gimme kiss”
and “I love you”.
He can tell you,
“Mr. Spike’s a pretty, pretty birdy”
or that my dog says “ruff, ruff”.
He can set the alarm,
wolf-whistle,
or beep like the microwave.
He says “Papa be back”
and “Papa gonna get clean, clean clean”.
He knows how to say more than 20 words.
But now –
I can’t get him to shut up.