Mealworms scattered freely
I stand behind glass watching
A solitary blackbird hops silently down, pecking each offering, one by one
Streams of starlings arrive steadily, unsteadily lining up on the wall, perching on the pergola
They gather, chattering clicking, calling for more to join, youngsters wobble nervously waiting for the all clear
I step back
Out of their sightline
And whoosh! Descending in a cloud, their flapping wind scattering their target
As they search under saucers and plant pots the fighting begins
I open the door, they rise like a storm, wings cracking like thunder, then gone, in a flash
One fragile fledgling left pecking, awkwardly, unaware of the threat of my presence
When the penny drops it flies onto a sloping wall, sliding down like a child on a stair rail
I wait until it steadies then takes off to find the others
They will be back
I will hear them
Meanwhile a familiar sound, tut tut tut,
A solitary blackbird hops silently down, pecking each offering, one by one
Carolyn Black 