13.7.17

Poolside


Four pigeons
by the whirlpool
coodling up chlorine

Flying life, safe as ginger
in a cabinet,
extrapolates lifespan

The wingspan
of swimming pool pigeons
is dependent upon supply,
depth and demand

It is to the good fortune
of the young chicks
that their short necks,
soft beaks, cannot
reach down to drink

Six poisoned pigeons
find survival in the short-term
risk at the swimming pool lip

Later, they will plummet
to the floor of the cooing
concrete cooridor

Anonymous slaughterers
break off with the wind,
bleached and careening