Out From… The Clash!

by Paul Tristram / May 30th, 2021

I caught three scruffy urchins
in a dismal alley corner
… trying to drown a magpie
inside a dented, metal bucket.
It was half-fighting back
… exhausted yet struggling,
as its black and white friend
rasped and called siren-like
from frantic wall to gate top.
“Two for Joy!” I yelled,
foot-knocking over the bucket,
then clapping hands together
with such an almighty smack
that I half-frightened myself.
The wet, disoriented bird
was free, yet side-walking
the cobbles like a drunkard.
I scooped it up, to a shed roof,
it pecked me as I did so…
I smiled, a very weary smile
at the ‘Battle’ still inside,
this feisty, little miracle…
who could now fly unfettered
to dawn another early morning.

Paul Tristram is a widely published Welsh writer who deals in the Lowlife, Outsider, and Outlaw genres.  He wrote his first poem as a teenager following his release from the (Infamous) Borstal ‘HMP Portland’, and he has been creating Literary Terrorism ever since.  His novel ‘Crazy Like Emotion’ published by Close To The Bone Publishing is available to purchase right here Read other articles by Paul, or visit Paul's website.

This article was posted on Sunday, May 30th, 2021 at 8:03am and is filed under Poetry.