[Kaj]

This was written a while back with peakoil and the oncoming credit crunch in mind:


Hidden Augury

I walk from work to books, distracted with
Some background hum or hiss,
Though I can’t place what it is.

I put my whole mind in my ears, but
There is no noise - which means -
The birds have fallen silent.

The whole world has drawn in its breath
As closing curves on graphs imply
Some near, far-future catastrophe.

We used to talk with birds, I learnt,
But now they twitch inscrutably
And hide their dreadful auguries.

I stare one out - he jumps, and flutters,
Guilty. Flinching, each one scatters;
The roofs linger with their feather patter.

The brimming silences disguise
Unreal rumbles in the skies.
Or in my mind? Or am I hungry?

We have seen the ravens waiting
At the airports. The plane wings
Seem so flimsy. They are watching.