#100sciencepoems 12: Pigeon Speed

Citation needed. I think I learned this off QI.

Pigeons see a speeding lorry

As crawling, practically parked.

Their daring last minute flight

From under the wheels

Makes us draw in breath and clench teeth

But for them, there was plenty of time.

They see us in slow motion

Strange, lumbering forms.

Dangerous, maybe, like zombies

But like zombies, easily outwitted.

You’d almost think it would be the opposite but

Because pigeons see the world through high-speed eyes

Everything

Is

Slowed

Right

Down.