Birds do ballet out there on the grass.
Gulls have come in from the sea.
Blackbirds are always here, and so are crows,
with jackdaws, too, and magpies.
A silent ballet, nothing to hear
within this small apartment,
but you can hear a ballet through your eyes
as these birds poke and peck -
a hop here and a walk there.
(22 Aug 2023)
Categories:
crow blackbird, art, beautiful, bird, dance,
Form: Free verse
(Elizabeth II 1926-2022)
Are we - crow, blackbird, sparrow -
aware of what's occurring?
We cannot tell, they assume,
but gape and gaze from up here.
This is a land with a departed monarch.
We - sparrow, blackbird, crow -
flit or sit above the richness
of that marching red regalia.
Thousands of arms stretch, sinews strain,
cameras are held aloft
to catch the start of this queen's obsequies,
such elegance, such grace.
We - blackbird, crow, sparrow -
observe orb and sceptre on the magnificent pall,
witness the splendour, the spectacle,
delight in the sound of vocal souls.
Millions have viewed that coffin.
We - crow, blackbird, sparrow - see them gaping, gazing,
with its eight pallbearers, in their blood-red flame,
as this Abbey welcomes what they carry.
(Sep 2022)
(You may wish to see also "Trooping the Colour" of June 2022 and "Coronation for a King" of May 2023)
Categories:
crow blackbird, city, color, death, grave,
Form: Free verse
He marches along in regal splendor
Short legs goose-stepping to an unheard beat
His coat black and shiny
Fierce eyes gleaming with determination.
At times, he makes a sound
Perhaps to call others to arms
However, no one responds
And he is left to march alone.
At times he comes to a sudden stop
What could he be thinking?
Where are my other soldiers perhaps?
Again, he calls for reinforcements
But none ever come
For they have deserted him
So he is left again to march alone
In an unknown journey
That only he knows.
Suddenly, with no thoughts except his own
He takes wing and flies off into the sky
For that is what a crow/blackbird does
Until next, he lands to practice his march again.
Categories:
crow blackbird, animals, march,
Form: Imagism