New-laid snow – somewhere
a woodpecker, stuttering
in the old oak tree.
*
Enter rook, flapping
into the light – a leaf, torn
from the shadow-tree.
*
Greenfinch on the branch –
a plump leaf waiting to fall
on the peanut bag.
*
On the bird table –
a blue tit and a robin
comparing plumage.
*
Exit rook, flying
untidily – an open
book hurled at the sun.
*
The birds are feeding
jerkily, like silent film
retouched with colour.
*
Solitary gull –
from dark to dark cloud bearing
its freight of sunlight.
Anthony Watts
