Gang Attack

 by Eira Needham 

Their ruckus startles --

flocking across the sky
like ink splattering
watermarked paper.

The murder flurries to the lawn:
wings beat, 
beaks stab, 
piercing shrieks. I wince.

My dog leaps from a nap, yapping, 
charges to scatter them.
Surging to poplar arms
they chatter in protest.
 

Silence.

Roses scent the air;

where grass fringes their bed 
my pooch noses the prostrate victim, 
still alive, bloodied neck, pecked.
I hotfoot for my mobile.

The avian ambulance arrives;

a rescue officer rushes

 the listless pigeon away.
Life’s pendulum swings.

Radio One Lunch-time News:
A gang’s frenzied attack

leaves a lone passer-by with critical injuries

in Intensive Care.

kraa-kraa-kraa
Crows taunt from a sycamore --
wood pigeons perch wing-to-wing,
on next-door’s roof.
ru-hoo ru ru-hoo

Bio: Eira Needham is a retired teacher living in Birmingham, UK. She began writing poetry in 2002 and submitting for publication in 2010. Her writing is eclectic and has been published in print and online. Recent publications include Black Poppy Review, Poetry Pacific and Voices from the Web 2016. She has also been chosen as Featured Writer in WestWard Quarterly.