Flight

Behind the blackened cherry trees
a passenger plane tilts at the sun,
Air Lingus licking its silver fingers
jumped people heading the clouds.
While amongst the twisted branches
Bullfinch load ripe scarlet cargoes,
their tight flesh loosened for comfort
their seeds of life given safe passage.
Unpacked they land on Spanish soil,
gradually hard cases groan & open
seeking sun and drink and cherries,
their pips dig & root & grow purple
then shoot dark wood into green buds,
knowing that hungry Bullfinch are waiting
to turn their sweet lives back to stone.



John G.Hall(C)2004