The Red Breasted Dove Poem by Gert Strydom

The red breasted dove swooped
over me
and giddy eyed
went to land
on the fallen tree
overgrown by flowers
in the rock garden
watching itself mirrored
in the window.

It didn’t see
the ginger Persian cat
until the last moment
and with paws stretched out
almost landed on its head.

It still had flight and swooped up
landing in the driveway
at the gate instead,
where the golden cocker Spaniel
went for it.

It flew up into the nearest tree
and disgusted cooed at the dog
who sat watching it
with big brown eyes.