Changing of the Guard
A year ago grey crows invaded the garden,
Asserted themselves
Seemed to distance the existing birds –
Thrushes, blue tits, robins, magpies –
It was as though the natural order had been upset.
Unhurried, sure of themselves,
The grey crows put manners on the rest.
A month ago the magpies struck back
Occupied the tallest branches of the evergreens
All faced in the one direction
Each one clearly visible.
They held the high ground
The takeover complete
Maurice Harmon
Athrú an Gharda
Bliain ó shin dhein caróga liatha ionradh ar an ngairdín,
Á gcur féin in iúl
Achar curtha acu idir iad féin is an éanlaith a bhí ann rompu –
Smólaigh. Meantáin ghorma, spideoga, snaga breaca –
An t-ord nádúrtha curtha as a riocht, ba dhóigh leat.
Teanntásach, gan aon deabhadh orthu,
Chuir na caróga liatha smacht ar an gcuid eile.
Mí ó shin, dhein na snaga breaca frithionsaí
Is lonnaíodar i ngéaga arda na gcrann síorghlas
Iad uile ag breathnú sa treo céanna
Chomh glan lena bhfaca tú riamh.
I bhfeighil an daingin aird arís
Bhíodar i gceannas go hiomlán.