We found you

plastered to a concrete drive,

acute angled, feet drawn,

rapid breathing

beneath a hot baked sun…

 

You’d landed somewhere hostile,

a dad, ruffled by things that flap,

children unversed in basic care.

And so we scooped you up,

took you to our hearts…

 

No-one sent a rescue helicopter.

The vet, disinterested in your plight

advised against removing wildlife

from its habitat.

Google informed that human scent

would prevent a mother

returning to its chick.

 

Dispelling guilt

I advised them that you stood no chance,

the broken leg and wing

fate in itself, sealed

 

Later, I comfort them

with words,

tell them it is better to die

surrounded by love

than survive

alone, abandoned.

 

I comfort myself with the observation

of their tenderness, respect for life…

the pipette, the water, the gentle hands…

 

My 10 yr old had wanted to turn the water into wine

suggested that might just take the pain away

the things children say…