Homage to Grey

                                   You came to us

                                   A bundle of matted feathers

                                   Held gently in my daughter's hands,

                                   Rescued from the gutter.

                                   We crushed seeds

                                   And eased the paste

                                   Through your soft beak

                                   Squeezed water from a dropper

                                   Down your thirsty throat.

                                   We watched you learn to fly

                                   And rescued you

                                   From where you fell

                                   In bins, behind beds, between bookcases.

                                   And you came to love us,

                                   Perched on our heads and knees,

                                   Cooed to us, let us stroke

                                   Your soft new adult feathers.

                                   When warmer weather came

                                   We coaxed you outside

                                   With hand-held titbits, gradually,

                                   And you lifted your wings to the air,

                                   Cocked your head to the songs and sounds

                                   Of the outside world.

                                   Then, suddenly, one warm and sunny day

                                   You left.

                                   No longer Grey, our pet,

                                   But a wild bird, free.

                                   5th June 2009