Before the too-high heat
Now in the morning’s cool, before the too-high heat
mosquito buzz
the casement window’s wide
so volume’s high, the chorus loud
lead voice out and proud
the blackcap
his complicated warble strong and sweet.
Then higher pitched but clear above him
the tiny serin’s notes
and interwoven harmony, the blackbird’s well-known tune.
Now of course a sparrow’s tedious chirp
and underneath a wood pigeon’s steady coo
or better still, improved, the turtle dove
and once, astonishing, a trill of flute from Golden Oriole!
All in the morning’s cool
a daily treat, identified by Merlin
become my friends, their voices I can name
singing the soundtrack
while the landscape’s still and silent
before the day, the busy-ness and buzz
the world’s intrusion
before the too-high heat.
Monday 16th June 2025, Hounoux for Clare
