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AIR COMBAT

Near a craggy islet, chucked by the wind, rising
from where rocks hammer the waves into spray, come
the scream and the silhouette of a falcon.
Off ledges launch other raptors, to engage
in the harry and chase of the cock sparrow,
whose long-haul from Dorset to Cape Town is but
one-third accomplished.  His wrap-around eye-kit
keeps track of the three converging attackers.
The lead one ejects its claws but he side-slips
in a turn less than the length of his body
and avoids the shot.  The talons of the next
strafe the metal of his tail feathers but he
jinks to safety.  From above, the third killer
stoops like a comet, but with swerve and dash
he evades it, he out-manoeuvres, survives.
The fighters wheel off, seek another target.
  

Alan Marshfield

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