The Skinner Box by Lauren Scharhag

The experiment involved 
some pigeons, some seed, 
and a box. Pigeon pecked 
a lever on the box,
the box dispensed a seed.
But if the box gave
the bird a seed every time, 
the bird would grow satisfied,
lazy, pecking only
when it pleased them.
If the box gave them a seed
randomly, then the birds 
were far more diligent,
hoping that this time
this time, a reward 
would be forthcoming,
and the act of pecking
becomes prostration,
their faith granted
the occasional boon of
two or three seeds in a row.
But if they gave the bird a seed 
only a few times and then
never again, the bird might
peck itself to death
chasing a dream of satiety. 
Granted, pigeons are not 
the smartest of birds.
I see you, standing there,
with your pocketsful of seeds.
I will not stoop. I will not
bloody my beak, hoping 
for what you might bestow.

Lauren Scharhag is the author of fourteen books, including Requiem for a Robot Dog (Cajun Mutt Press) and Languages, First and Last (Cyberwit Press). Her work has appeared in over 150 literary venues around the world. Recent honors include the Seamus Burns Creative Writing Prize, three Best of the Net nominations, and acceptance into the 2021 Antarctic Poetry Exhibition. She lives in Kansas City, MO. To learn more about her work, visit: www.laurenscharhag.blogspot.com