Matching Beats

I stopped two paces before a grey bird on the plaza stones. Round chest. Dull orange eye. It moved. Head jerked forward. Snap. Jerked back. Forward. Back. Forward. Back. Steady beat. I stood stiff. Watched. Then I pushed my head forward. Stiff neck. Paused. Snapped it back. The bird took two steps. Left. Right. Bob. I lifted my flat feet. Left. Right. Bob. The bird stopped. Tilted its head sideways. Looked up. I held both arms straight out front. Blinked slow. It pecked the smooth stone. Clack. I dipped my flat forehead down. Tap. We stood together in the morning shade. Good bird. Orderly rhythm.