One for Sorrow (The Misfortunate Magpie)

Chattering, checkering, hideous din,
One fretful magpie, acrobatic on wing,
Hard out of hell, arch devil at dawn
Relentlessly made claim to my innocent lawn.
From that moment on there was no peace or rest,
No creature safe on ground or nest,
‘til splat, entrails arranged on the welcoming mat,
Was cock magpie killed by al Qaida,
The insensitive, in-residence, terrorist cat?


All the birds of the air
Danced and jigged when they heard
Of the timely death of the meddling bird,
The welcoming death of the tiresome bird.


Then high in the elm was clearly heard.
The imperious song of a wise old bird,
”That mire on the mat you plainly see
Could well have been you or even me!”

And this promptly closed the bird-brained spree.