The Halcyon BirdGrief lingers on Mother’s birthday like her favourite perfume,
reigniting loss long after she has gone, the day dedicated to
Sinatra and songs that touched her heart.
Like a laser through an open door, chaos comes, green opal
sweeps a flash of light, displaying feathery turquoise top and
tails of electric blue, the
frantic fluttering of a visitor unused to glass panes and walls
persists, until perched high on a sill, hunched up, the kingfisher
surveys the room with onyx, pin top eyes.
A morphing form, compact pompom body, balayage, yellow
and white with long black bill like a workman’s tool, streamlined
for craft.
Windows and doors are unlocked, flung like arms wide open, allowing
easy exit into vast bush and warm blue sky. The ‘halcyon bird’
ascends bestowing peace.
- ‘halcyon bird’ Greek name for a Kingfisher.
First published Poetica Review (UK) 2022.