Monday 27 May 2024

A Storm of Starlings

 Starling Shower



Rain came with the flower moon, 
presaged by a deluge of starlings
into the cloister garden,
falling like chattery stars 
they festooned the old cherry trees
only lately leafed and now blossoming birds.
Where and how they came 
we do not know,
but welcomed their 
electric shock of arrival 
and the throaty whistle of their calls 
as a surge of wild energy exulting 
on the edge of Summer storms,
like schoolchildren at term’s end.
Raucous and rowdy, even the robins
retreated before their squabbling,
sparking from iridescent wings 
shook over shoulders that jerk
along in time with their staccato steps.
They have birthed wonder anew 
these sudden garrulous guests,
reminding us of the joy 
that comes from summer laughter, 
from cocking an ironic glinting eye 
at life from time to time,
and living with a gusto
that erupts in flight at grace’s 
sudden swift appearing, 
unknown and even unasked for from above.
Oh we thank these rough and tumble gangsters of the sky for however long
they make our garden home,
before the ancient call sounds along
their hollow bones and makes them
sun seekers once again 
and storm warnings,
leaving us their life lessons 
on a murmuring cloud,
in the glitter-glint of a starling’s eye.