Ode to a Sparrow
You were everywhere until you were gone;
in hedges, on rooftops,
stealing crumbs from drinkers in the sun.
So familiar, it took a while to see
you were no longer there
hopping round the car park or squabbling in the tree.
Then we all began to grieve;
theories flew round,
pesticides, fumes or viruses made you leave.
You're back now. I laugh as you bathe at noon,
breast-stroke in the dust,
cheerfully defying the prophets of doom.
Chrissie Williams, July 2003