A magpie perched

Trick or treat
           beauty or truth
body and soul
           so the voice goes
a magpie perched
           on the branch
of an apple tree
           pecks at the fruit
and the branch rocks
           and the wind rises
through this suburban
           universe

Light captured
           in autumn colours
a flurry of rusty leaves
           falling through
the wintry air
           a love so deep
so satisfying
           a love to die for
a love that makes
           life worth living
The magpie picks
           at the sour fruit
will never know
           of the joy that runs
through my heart
           trick or treat

John Lyons