Kevin and the Blackbird Poem by James Harpur

from The Dark Age


I never looked, but felt the spiky feet

Prickling my outstretched hand. I braced my bones,

My heart glowed from the settling feathered heat


And later from the laying of the eggs

Heavy, as smooth and round as river-rolled stones,

Warm as the sun that eased my back and legs.


When I heard the cheepings, felt the rising nest

Of wings, the sudden space, the cool air flow

Across my fingers, I did not know the test


Had just begun - I could not bend my arms

But stood there stiff, as helpless as a scarecrow,

Another prayer hatching in my palms -


Love pinned me fast, and I could not resist:

Her ghostly nails were driven through each wrist.