Magpies

 

A pair of magpies woke me at four,

scuffling like drunks on the slates above,

dislodging something solid so it sounded

like stone dropped on stone.

Then, outside with tea, in June 2021  

not quite post - Covid, distant cars

run the morning roads

flashing in the distance noiselessly

until the hills come green again in sun.


They will develop electric cars

but there`ll always be a roar 

from tyres to break the peace, 

and after that again,

just a shush along the roads of air

From hovercraft suspension.


Next year I`ll scatter the magpies` nest

and in that new world wait for the worms

under the lawn, and after melt water

makes a new calligraphy, twigs against the sky

will catch human voices resonate

in a valley greening up after the ice has gone.