lundi 6 juillet 2015

Bill


BILL


We took you in, Bill, with your one eye,
To keep you safe from predators,
A companion for Ben with his damaged wing
In his solitary aviary.
And after some bullying he accepted you,
Enjoyed your company.
But soon you fell ill and quickly died
Despite the injections and oxygen tent.
And we miss your gentle presence, your sweet ways.
May you rest in peace, dear pigeon,
In your quiet corner of our garden.

Fifi


FIFI

Little Fifi, tiny hedgehog,
Found trapped with your brother
In a wire mesh, your mother dead,
You came to us with a third hedgeling:
Fifi, Riri, Loulou.
Such tiny helpless miniatures.
We fell in love with you,
Watching you suck avidly
At the syringes of kitten milk,
Your eyes not open yet.
But then, Fifi, little girl,
You fell ill and couldn’t be saved.
You have your place
In our garden cemetery
And you are missed, our little one,
As we watch your brothers
Thrive, grow teeth, explore
And learn hedgehog ways
Instinctively, without you.