A Murmur
by Laura Modigliani, 2006

Now and then the blood curdles
and jumps from the frame, which holds it
as if for safekeeping, captive

Capuchin monks cover pulpits with loam

The Fates cannot stop
(a riptide of curlpaper)
to smell the fishes’ dung
to ponder man-made damage

Comets smudge by every other decade

The first time fingers
unearth a clog,
delve a cold cave,
the eye adjusts to the dim

She looks dishy beside the dishwater
An ice-flanked torrent pushes over
a circle of dunite, igneous,
steam seeps, naturally
the boats, a murmur

Under meteor showers she called out
the dawn is coming in the dark

Who knew a vessel—with wind
silence flew through, the under toe,
and that now, oh the clause
could clamor like that

The City of Troy
Office of the Mayor

NOTICE

At the request of the City of Troy and Rensselaer County, Wildlife Biologists with the United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services will be cooperatively conducting a non-lethal pilot project to investigate techniques to change roosting patterns of American crows roosting in the City.

This program will begin on Monday, December 10th and will conclude on Thursday, December 13th in the areas of 5th and 6th Avenue and River Street, between Congress & Federal Street. Other areas in the City may possibly be affected depending on bird behavior. The control methods will be employed from approximately 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM each evening.

The non-lethal harassment methods used to disperse crows will include pyrotechnics, electronic guards, non-harmful lasers, and amplified, recorded crow distress calls. Several of these methods produce loud noises and flashing lights, (similar to sirens and fireworks) that frighten birds and may be heard or observed by local residents. Biologists will be wearing uniforms and will be escorted by Troy Police Officers and/or the Rensselaer County Sheriff's Department.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact Wildlife Services at 477-4837 between the hours 8:00 am and 4:30 pm each day or after ours at 495-4735.

Thank you for your cooperation.