Patrick Osada
Vigil
Amazed, dessertspoons poised, we paused
To watch that tiny bird in flight.
Through open door, across the room
It skimmed towards the windowed light
Of setting sun. Hitting the glass
Head-on it fell untidily
To ground. Panting, eyes closed, it lay
There close to death. Then you reached down
To cup it, trembling, in your hands.
Somehow it calmed and coming round
It perched upon your outstretched hand
As to the door you carried it,
Then gently coaxed it into flight.
Just like the bird the years have flown -
Somehow we've got to where we are.
I sit and watch you helplessly
As, with eyes closed, your breathing slows.
I wish it could be simple now:
I'd calm your trembling in my arms,
Then help you to that open door
That leads you back towards the light.
Page(s) 7
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- Cannon's Mouth, The
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- Lamport Court
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- Paper, The
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- Poetry London (1951)
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- Poetry Salzburg Review
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- Rialto, The
- Second Aeon
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- Shearsman
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- Staple
- Strange Faeces
- Tabla Book of New Verse, The
- Thumbscrew
- Tolling Elves
- Ugly Tree, The
- Weyfarers
- Wolf, The
- Yellow Crane, The