By: Milt Montague

the ostrich is a funny bird
seemingly put together
from odds and ends
or leftover parts

two long skinny legs
a neck to match
sticking out of a
football shaped body

lush black/white wing feathers
larger more beautiful on it’s tail

can’t fly but can run fast
stands over eight feet tall
temperamental and when mad
delivers a kick that can break a man’s leg

raised on large ranches in South Africa
rounded up once a year to harvest
it’s gorgeous long plumage to grace ladies hats
and create fans for exotic girl dancers
covered with little else

reputed in the past
to carry fierce midget warriors
into battle on their back