"African Grey Parrot"

I focus upon the bright red tail

of this beautiful, principally grey-and-white, bird -

who currently hangs upside down

from his favourite perch,

wolf-whistling

for the benefit

of random passers-by.


The parrot's spirit reaches,

and playfully pecks at,

that part of my own,

which remains

gentle, pure -

and lighter


than the lightest feather,


or even

the palest shade

of grey.