Fat Wood Pigeons

Two fat Wood-Pigeons

On the lawn

Feed hurriedly

Trying fast

To gain another ounce

Ever wary

Of men with guns

Ready to blast,

Or the cat in the hedge

With claws drawn

Ready to pounce.

Soon they fly off —

Perhaps to cabbages,

Perhaps to wheat;

Welcome and unwelcome dinner guests;

Beautiful pink-grey birds:

To some — a wondrous treat,

To others — nothing but hated pests.