The Sparrow Hawk, the Keeper and I

As a boy I applauded her magnificent figure;

As a boy I watched her fly, in the sky, so high.

As a boy I admired her mighty vigour;

As a boy I watched her deftly swoop and swirl.

As a boy my intransigent senses she was able to trigger.

She was coloured golden brown as she flew;

She flashed and dazzled in the early morning sunshine.

She commanded the air as she soared straight and true;

Her eyes could see far ~ much farther than those of you or I.

Below nothing could obscure her view of the ground, bathed in dew.

She adorned the sky as the night-time darkness was done;

She was so beautiful against the backdrop of the heavens.

She was seen at a time when blackness was on the run;

She, alone, ruled the universe ~ that is, but for one ~

Beneath her prowled the keeper in this spats and breeches ~ and his gun.

Morning came to me easily, I ardently welcomed her here;

How could I not be in awe of this special time?

Now I could join the sparrowhawk, see her dive and veer.

She paid no heed to me ~ why should she? ~ I was her friend, you see!

She called out her 'Good Morning' to me as I lent her my ear.

She flew in the peaceful stillness of the cool, clean air;

Silent, the world was silent about us.

Then my exalted solitude was dashed, standing there;

A violent crack, a puff of smoke..... and she was gone,

I frantically searched the sky but she was nowhere.

As a man I recall my sparrowhawk, anamnesis she still dictates

(She even tumbled lifeless to the ground with dignity and grace).

As a man I may, myself, in time arrive at heaven's golden gates;

She knows that I will come and not betray her...

But she is ever patient and has faith ~ she awaits

                                              ASJ