Outbreak

Miles left the gathering of zookeepers and
headed home. It had been the worst meeting

in his twenty-six years tending
to the captured wild.

Cindy, an intern, had contracted
Dodo flu from a traveling petrified cough.

Sanctuaries threatened to close.
Vets called in sick, locked their doors.

Miles pulled into his driveway and
got out of his car.

As he got to the porch, he fumbled
with his keys. To his right, Miles

noticed a blur crashing towards him.
A newly hatched butterfly died on his nose.

Inside his house an aura of sadness surrounded.
Miles picked up where he had everyday before.

On television, protesters were chanting,
“Put down the gun!”