Blackbird

A large blackbird perches
               on the chimney pot
of a house across the road
               I notice the clouds racing
in the turbulent grey sky

The bird is motionless
               perhaps in a trance
as it waits for the next
               gust of wind :
and then it comes
               I can hear the rush
of air blasting
               against the roof
shaking the rafters

The bird turns its head
               backwards
hesitates
               takes a leap and veers
180 degrees flying straight
               into the face of the wind
before turning back another
               180 degrees and mounting
the back of this swell
               surfing it
all the way down
               and out of sight

John Lyons