Some one has destroyed
the robin’s nest
and stolen the eggs
Jane said
she leaned
into the hedgerow
beneath the streamlet
and parted the branches
her voice choked
as her fingers poked
about the damaged nest
you stood watching
behind her
over her shoulder
watching her fingers move
who’d do such a thing?
you asked
all gone
not an egg left
she said
in saddened tone
you leaned near her
smelt lavender water
she wore
her dark hair
pinned back
with metal grips
why destroy?
she said
why steal?
you sensed her sadness
felt her ache
and how
it would feel
she withdrew her hands
and wiped them
on her dull grey dress
and looked along the lane
and back at you again
who would do such things?
you asked
she looked at the hedgerow
that now concealed
the damaged nest
and said
father says
such are humankind
that seek and take
and leave all fouled
and lost and leave
to nature or to God
to mend and count
the cost
I saw the nest and eggs
last time we came
you said
the beauty of the eggs
and nest made neat
Jane walked on
along the lane
and you walked
beside her
her dull grey dress
swaying as he walked
her hand reached out
for yours
her fingers slim
unpainted nails
her thumb rubbed
against your hand’s skin
the sky
watercolour blue
with puffs of white
just the countryside
sans eggs and nest
and Jane and you.