Checkers

When a checkered bird sings, all the red and black squares

Jostle for the crowns that every square aspires to.

When a checkered bird sings all its checkered songs for

Merry little pieces hopping all around it.

Hopping and cavorting on its checkered feet, it

Sings a song of jumping, forward then and backward

Flying through the blue sky, always sliding slantwise,

Making diagnoses, checking every tree branch.