Where once the serin

 Where once the serin 

Where once the serin perched to sing 

the sweetest high-pitched notes, 

canary song, 

his tree long moribund is axed, for safety first 

despite my special pleading 

for his spot, this destination 

the miracle of annual return 

bright tiny flyer 

navigating here from Africa. 

How many days and miles to our garden 

behind the washing line, close by the damson tree 

always the same bare branch 

the flash of yellow, sweet high song

and me, rejoicing 

for spring and his return.  

17th March 2024 Hounoux