while watching the nightly news
by a noise coming from outside.
Thunk thunk thunk
A catbird in our rhododendrons
had declared war on his reflection in
our basement window. Each time
his attack was repelled by an equal
and opposite force.
Thunk thunk thunk
He could not be deterred from defending
his homeland from this imaginary foe.
Something had to give in the battle
between this birdbrain and glass pane.
I covered the window with cardboard
to curtail his instinctual onslaught
and save him from an early demise.
My wife and I went back to the news.
In August of 1914, soldiers enlisted
in the War to End All Wars, assured
that the conflict would end by Christmas.
Four more years and 15 million souls would pass
before the close of this grand adventure.
Then 2003 brought Bush on the boat with his banner
prematurely exclaiming “Mission Accomplished.”
The Iraq War lasting a mere eight more years
after victory was secured.
Vladimir Putin invaded an independent Ukraine confident
of conquest within months. Here we are four years later.
Operation Epic Fury began on February 28, 2026
with Israel and the US attacking Iran certain that
they could not resist. Mission accomplished.
Thunk thunk thunk
Kevin Boyce is a poet, photographer, children’s book author, and lifelong resident of New England. He volunteers in his hometown, leading a community-sponsored contest and publication for emerging authors. Kevin’s poems have appeared or are forthcoming in ONE ART, Nostalgia, The New Verse News, The Broken Teacup, Discretionary Love, The Poetry Lighthouse, and elsewhere.