Poems May 2023
Garden at odds
“Come all ye faithful,” sang the faithful.
“Come off it,” sang the rest.
The first blackbird in months
takes up residence, his rival
a rent-controlled magpie,
Givenchy-blue slash across his wings.
The sun has sunk to a copper dome.
Outside, heavens in collapse;
inside, central heating on the blink,
radiators fizzing and clunking like conspirators.
Here and there under curtains of sleet,
buds mark the bare branches
more in hope than glory,
nubbins awaiting a June wedding.
A Message from the Editors
Support our crucial work and join us in strengthening the bonds of civilization.
Your donation sustains our efforts to inspire joyous rediscoveries.
This article originally appeared in The New Criterion, Volume 41 Number 9, on page 30
Copyright © 2023 The New Criterion | www.newcriterion.com
https://newcriterion.com/issues/2023/5/garden-at-odds