Peter Branson
Boy, Gizz, Dog-eared Book

Strangers broadcast, blow-overs, rovers off
their beaten path, exotic rarities
that seal the breath. With something choice, he knows
immediately, so everyday white noise
is filtered out. He tries the simple checks
at first – voice, flight form, plumage, size an’ shape,
yet knows the casting vote, where there is doubt,
is down to character and habitat.
He shuffles well-thumbed golden treasury
by rote, the pocket guide inside his head,
for images of possibles, then, text
to conjure with, he discards what won’t suit
till, final piece in place, jigsaw complete,
he’s awestruck, joyous, appetite replete.

<< return to the Table of Contents for New Series #8: Winter 2019, Volume 4 Number 2