the birds of autumn

The wild duck startles like a sudden thought,

and heron slows as if it might be caught.

The flopping crows on weary wings go by

and grey beard jackdaws noisy as they fly.

The crowds of starlings whizz and hurry by,

and darken like a cloud the evening sky.

The larks like thunder rise and swiftly round,

then drop and nestle in the stubble ground.

The wild swan hurries high and flutters loud

white neck peering to the evening crowd.

The weary rooks to distant woods are gone.

With black waving tail the magpie winnows on

to neighbouring tree, and leaves the distant crows

while small birds nestle in the hedge below.

 

--John Clare

Done