Memoriam

 

Our Bird of Paradise has died

clubbed brutally by friends.

They slashed its wings

put out its fire

Broke its heart; it can’t survive

 

Wounded, writhing, sank and died

Tortured beyond recovering

Life ebbed in fear of its own discovery

 

Now no trace remains at all

Outside our memories

Where once resplendent colours flashed

Sucked dry of bright

That only sepia remains

 

No more proudly flashing light

Mournful lack-luster garb

Is all remaining of its corpse

A few bright feathers scattered

Here and there