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      September 10, 2019The Bar-Headed GooseDevon Balwit

      The bar-headed goose flaps on its wind-
      tunnel tether. What can it teach us about breathing
      where there is little air? Are we the kind
      of creature that can learn to chill our blood, hugging
       
      valleys as we sieve for oxygen? The scientist
      does her best to stay in place. She is cold.
      Her pants beat like wings that have the gist
      of flight without its grace. She keeps hold
       
      of the plastic tubing. Perhaps I could rejoice
      if I didn’t fear our pushing further into places
      we formerly couldn’t reach. The goose’s face
      is masked, a machine that gives no trace
       
      of what it wills as an ambassador of its clan.
      How hard it flies without escaping man.

      Devon Balwit

      “Ironic that so much of what we learn from animals ends up being used against them.”