Birds

The Race

Birds, Poetry

T

They’ve waited around
practicing their manoeuvres
up and down the canal side
mastering approaches

Eyes focused
for a signal
and a time
and a place of green

Spring afternoon
perfect conditions
for old friends
to compete against each other

Superstar sportsmen
can only sit and watch
as gladiatorial battles take place
on the terracotta tiles

Spectators look on
from vaulted vantage points
up high and looking down
on the contest below

As they take their positions
and wait for the starter
spreading the breadcrumbs
across the walkway

On Patrol

Animals, Birds, Poetry

The black feathered aviators are out on patrol again

You could call them “The flying squad”

Keeping the streets of Salford Quays

free from the menace of breadcrumbs

as they clean a square metre in five minutes flat

passing professors doing their sums

and staring as if to say – “What’re you lookin’ at ?”

while seagulls know not to pounce or enter a fight

with the flying squad – they’ll get a fright

Hotel for the birds

Birds, Life, Nature, Outdoors, writing

Salford, 23rd March 2019

Modified from an instagram post i posted this morning,

When i wake up

What do i see, beyond the works of

Writing on my desk ?

Wide, are the curtains flung – from

West to east – bringing light to the painted

walls where i do most of my scribbling

Marshmallow pillows float

softly in Salford Skies as

flocks of feathered friends

return from their alfresco restaurant, to

five star accommodation – peering across towards my way

as they enjoy the view.

Feathered Cacophony

Birds, Nature, Poetry

Salford 26th September

What happens early morning…when someone’s been generous with the birdseed!

It begins quietly enough,

the graceful movement of flapping wings

stopping at an observation point

whilst they check out the opposition

The seed scatters , bouncing on the tarmac

and feathered friends, in an instant

become mortal enemies – as they nip and scratch and barge

to enable the best pickings

Noises increase from roof to tree

and Mums and dads say whats for tea

the little ones sit and wait

for something to fall on their dinner plate

Resident cats look from a distance

as the birds scrap on

unaware of

the dangers ahead

And with one sight of fur

feathers fly in a blur

as they think its best

to return to the nest

Seagulls Lament

Animals, Birds, Breakfast, Character, Poetry

#Promptuarium

ow

I suppose you thought that was funny ?

here I am sat by the bins

enjoying what could be my only meal for miles

and you decide to disturb my breakfast

Innocently enjoying the fish in the box

then over my foot comes this big heavy rock

expecting me to just fly away

I was too busy eating – no time to play

If I were human – I might have had words

but thing is being feathered – I’m only a bird

you wouldn’t want my beak coming round you to peck

so why use a big stone – I could have broke my neck!

I should count myself lucky – it wasn’t from a gun….

but disturbing my breakfast – wasn’t much fun

so i’ll return the favour – when you come back from the shop

expect something to land – coming down with a plop!

Canary in a Cage

Birds, Life, Poetry

Salford, 16th April 2018

A tale of life down the pits – and a very clever bird

canary

Canary (P) Brian F Kirkham 2018

They closed all the pits

they say it wernt safe

we were digging out the props keeping land up

They said

The Gas were strong

and sending our mates

off to dreamland

forever

But as well as hammer and pick

we had a new trick

up our sleeves

to look out fer stuff we couldnt see

Bright little bird , wi

Feathers o’ yellow

Chirped away – when safe, and quiet when not

Clever little fellow