Magpie - (The Cancer Ballads II)

There are no gulls outside

beyond the rain kissed window

pane. No shrieking sound that

keeps all up at night awake.

The pigeons are feeding,

grey squirrels are foraging

but there is a magpie perched

quietly, perfectly visible, tapping

its beak against the glass

from its position

on the windowsill.

It is waiting to steal

mothers’ soul, extract her spirit

from within the growth of her

cancer, ready to take and inhale

her last breath. The magpie just

waits. But mothers’ strength is

strong, as she rises with the

morning song of sparrows,

singing at the sight of

dawn. The magpie will return

tomorrow but St. Peregrine

will stand and guard her spirit,

her health and defend her soul.