PICKINGS

Poetry from NHI publications



TOOTH FOR A TOOTH
in a swift arrowed flight
the kestrel takes station
hovering high above the heath

in the clear air
he balances
eyes keen
eyes searching
eyes alert for movement

of a sudden he dives
almost as if he hurtles
to his death

just above ground
he stretches wing
and extends claw

soon he is perched
on the gnarled pine
tearing the guts
red and bulging
from the small mouse

all the time
his sharp eye rings his horizons

all the watchers are watched
in this neat arrangement
of nature

MALCOLM PAYNE
from
New Hope International New Series #6

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This page last updated: 24th November 2005.