Geese And Swans

1. Geese

Their fierce necks peck silently at
sparse ground cover grass, feathers
grey and brown as the city. Canals wind
through postindustrial landscapes.

Arriving in V formation, migrating
or naturalised, they land softly. Silently
the worn cobbles develop the green
slime sheen of excrement.

In spring, their wingspan is sufficient
to span a towpath or an iron bridge,
shrieking, hissing against those who
might threaten their babies.

2. Swans

Serenely slipping through gently
rippling water, they know they are
protected by the Queen. Hidden
orange feet make graceful turns.

There is a permanence to the swan,
as if history itself cannot change
the idyll of playfully reflected summer
sun and freshly manicured grass.

And watch now as the wings open,
as wide as a child, silhouetted by the
sun, wings whistling wou wou
wou, closer and closer.