Little Sparrow
Little sparrow on my table
dipping beak in candle holder,
mini pool, ceramic blue...
Will it, will it, will it do?
Cock your head and tilt it round;
take 360 dangers in;
lest cat shadows wilful grow,
tiny pipette, sample... so.
Cock and tilt and dip and sip
till your tremble legs so tense
launch you into fluttered air,
hedge-ward. Find composure there.
......................
Forsythia
Forsythia, how bright
above the fence your blossom
tall to delight .
I smile as sparrow's dash
crosses kitchen window from that
neighbouring bush.
Lives benefit from boundaries:
sheltering they climb,
free from ravaging dogs,
though a cat could pad along a vine,
leap conservatory roof to shed,
to table, batter flutter-head;
No.
I think there's grace:
even a heavy-lifting pigeon
could vacate the space.
........................
