The elder statesman parrot concluded
That the best way to degrade people
Is still to mockingly repeat their sayings.

“To express oneself truly,” he said,
“In front of people is something like
Taking a parakeet out to see ballet.”

Then he mentioned the dolphins,
How they still insist on ferrying
Lost boats to shore- “If you ever find

A lost airplane, lead it to a mountain!”
Allison reached inside the cage.
“Pretty bird, oh, pretty bird,” she said

And ruffled his feathers. His tail
Feathers stood up. “Pretty bird,”
He said looking longingly at her back.