Take Wing

Fowl of nature bound to earth, cock and hen, denied heaven's mirth;

Sacrificed flesh mankind sustain, down for warmth, fresh eggs like rain;

Caaww, caackle, cheep, cheep, whiip oor weel, hooonnnkk, gobble and screeeech;

Ravens, jays, wrens, hawks, eagles,blackbirds and gulls at the beach.

Gaggles of geese, wings of tern, egret and osprey, ostrich and swan,

Flocks in rocks along the shores, hordes that lord the blue azure;

Packs of pigeons patrol cityscapes, coooooin and pooooin, anon anon.

Ducklings and singlets litter our lakes, fine bit o' work by your mallards and drakes.

Sunrise is signalled by cock crow and melifluous song,

Robbins tend gardens, birds of prey mind the fields,

Wonders of nature, true to their mates, minding their young,

Best of the nest, orchard and seas, natural goodness simply reveals.

GG

Gerry Gilligan, c. 2009, copyright, all rights reserved.