In that moment of mating
to steady himself
the male flaps his great white love wings
while crouched on her back.
If she collapses under
his weight, or from the exuberant thrust
she'll be punished with a series of deadly pecks,
so she rests her beak
upon the ground,
somewhat awkward in her three-pointed stance,
to provide them both just that--
stability or bliss.
She bends revealing
the scarlet feathers of her crown.
He holds her between his
long legs, clasps her
with his hieroglyphic feet
until it is done,
then slides forward
over her lowered head,
stands with great force upright,
his enormous wings turned into fans
then as if to acknowledge
what's happened,
bows.