The Magpie

Of all the birds, both foul and fair, 
You stubbornly refused to wear

Full mourning at the Crucifixion, 
And were cursed with this affliction: 

Piebald broods of raucous young, 
The devil's laugh on every tongue.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2017

Poem

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Cresswell Avatar
August 7, 2017 at 10:01 PM
I do not understand are magpies crucified in New Zealand? It is a stunning poem. It appears to be straight forward then it sneaks up on one and bites. Mmm I want to say in the conscience for some reason.
Ireland Avatar
August 9, 2017 at 10:13 PM
This poem has nothing to do with New Zealand. (I was born and brought up in England, a stone's throw from Shakespeare's birthplace.) According to legend, the members of the crow family attended the Crucifixion in full mourning - dressed entirely in black. But the magpie opted for a disrespectful piebald coat, which made God angry.
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