Myna Bird in Pine Tree (Mu Ch’i), Sonnet #535

 

It’s said you have to split its tongue

When the myna is very young

Before you can teach it to speak.

At first it wags its yellow beak

While emitting a stifled squeak.

The patient teacher says one word,

And then to unconfuse the bird,

Repeats it many times, mimics

Himself, until the bird’s mind clicks

And its forked tongue repeats the word.

It can learn any human sound

As long as it's kept in its cage.

It dies if released from that cage

Into worlds of confusing sound.

My book of the first 200 of these sonnets is now available for purchase. Click here:

My Human Disguise.