Wednesday, 3 October 2018

Butcherbird Liturgy



He’s back in the trees singing that liturgy’s ‘air’ 
only his ilk comprehends; the tune rings with a 
that’s typical, that’s typical - por favor!” clarity 
it’s hard to miss as the Butcherbirds signature; 
re-echoing clearly thru’ its territory - perhaps a 
slip in pronunciation here & there, tho th’ verity 
is true with a few added epithets a-jingling too, 
but we know where they are - doing their duty 

With Currawong & Kookaburra cobbers, they’ll 
manage th’ trees while keeping bugs, beetles - 
and wriggling beasties under keen surveillance 
for feastings they’re all into, while reminding us 
daily they like that ‘tucker’ of raw meat thrown 
their way - if only to keep their eco-pot a-boil 
© 17 July 2018, I. D. Carswell 

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