Villanelle for the Ugly Pigeon

By: Joshua Kulseth

I want to be the ugly pigeon

walking alone,

ruffled against company.

Innocent, no one

troubles you, jabbing some crumb.

Oh, to be you, ugly pigeon.

Colors mish mashed, none

of them pretty—you’re fine

with that, ruffled against company.

I’m alone

too, walking in the sun.

Walking with the ugly pigeon.

Do you get lonely like me? For some

shared time filching grub, love or competition;

Unruffling for company?

It’s no sin

to be alone and ugly,

ruffled against company;

to be the ugly pigeon.

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Joshua Kulseth earned his B.A. in English from Clemson University, his M.F.A. in poetry from Hunter College, and his Ph.D. in poetry from Texas Tech University. His poems have appeared and are forthcoming in Tar River Poetry, The Emerson Review, The Worcester Review, Rappahannock Review, The Windhover, and others. His poetry manuscript, Leaving Troy, was shortlisted for the Cider Press Review Publication Competition, and is currently under contract with Finishing Line Press. He is an Assistant Professor of English and Creative Writing at Franciscan University of Steubenville.