The Cuckoo (Edited Februart 2914) Poem by John Rickell

Remote and lonely baritone the first in May,
clock-work, mechanical, two notes not to be forgotten
haunting spring time solos sung from oak and ash
awakening to a spring confirmed at last.
Courting pigeons in birch's green and silver bark,
chill east winds threaten winter's return
but the solos sing a sweeter song,
hope beneath the rainbow arch haunts the evening light...
joining skylarks' twitter, pheasants in alarm as foxes roam,
I heard the first in spring will tell my envious friends
and toast the lonely cuckoo.