Redwing Blackbird

He fluffs scarlet epaulets, leaves home,
says he's going out to gather food
for the chicks, that's what he says.

Scarlet epaulets go to the other home,
the one she doesn't know,
the one he thinks she doesn't know,

and mates with the other her.
The epaulets go to the sentinel tree
and sing of lust.