Gaggling Geese

                                                    
                                                                                                                                       












Einstein's Geese

Tony Gruenewald

         

Some Princetonians believe

that simply living within

the 08540 postal zone

adds at least

20 points to an IQ.

And they must be convinced

that even the resident geese

that loiter at the office parks

and on the outskirts of town

are literate.

How else can one explain

the sign?

The sign that had to cost enough

to feed and clothe

a family of four for months

in an underdeveloped country.

The sign that reads, "NO GEESE,"

and for added emphasis adds

a picture of a goose

inside the universal

red slashed circle.

And being Princeton geese,

they ignore the sign anyway,

having also inherited

that ivied sense

of entitlement.

While in my neighborhood,

the geese lean on

the black plywood hunting dog silhouettes

meant to discourage them,

smoking cigarettes and making

goose calls at passing women.

And even the park police are

intimidated. When you call to complain,

they confide in hushed tones,

"There’s nothing we can do...

It’s best to try to ignore them.