Apology to a Partridge

I’m sorry little partridge

that I startled you

made you lift

your little round body

against the forces

of gravity

using precious energy

not once but twice

on this frosty morning

to escape in flight

peeping over and over

your fear

and though I changed

directions

moved my path wide

from where your

little round shadowed form

landed

my pup came too close

and so once again

you peeped your fear

and flew fast and low

with my genuine concern

over the highway

safely thank goodness.

I wondered at your loneliness

as usually I see at least

two to four of your kind together

but then was reassured

another day

when I did see

a group of at least five

flying freely

together.