You and your sister
found a pigeon
on the grass
outside Banks House

which couldn’t fly
and so you took it up
the concrete stairs
to your mother

and your sister said
it can’t fly
what shall we do?
it can stay the night

your mother said
but in the morning
you must take it
to the police station

and leave it with them
and so you found
a cardboard box
and placed the bird in

with a small bowl of water
and some broken up bread
and left it
in the lounge

over night
and you could hear its sound
and movement
as it walked around

the box
and in the morning
it was still alive
and looked at you both dully

and so after breakfast
you took the bird
to the police station
and the police officer said

what have we here then?
a pigeon
your sister said
it can’t fly

oh I see
the police officer said
in mock surprise
can’t fly ok

leave it with me
and we will contact
the appropriate people
to deal with the issue

and so you did
and on the way home
your sister said
I hope it will be all right

and have a new home
and you said
yes I’m sure it will
but with a mischievous look

in your eye
thinking
but not saying
in somebody’s pie.