A Skyward Tale: Rab's Guardians: Poem by Mervyn Graham

In the skies above, the buzzards dance,
Twisting, turning, in a wild romance.
Their aerial ballet, the roller coaster ride,
A spectacle of love, they cannot hide.

Monogamous pairs, bonded for life,
Through turmoil and calm, through joy and strife.
Their distinctive call, a cat's soft meow,
Their silhouette in flight, a V-shaped bow.

Rab, he loved his buzzards, every one,
Watching them skillfully fly, under the sun.
And on the day Rab left this earthly ground,
A big bird perched, not a solemn sound.

For a week it arrived, punctual without delay,
A steadfast companion, in its gentle display.
On Rab's parting day, it stood tall and still,
A vigilant guardian, guiding with goodwill.

At the top of the drive, it stood tall,
A sentinel, watching over Rab. watching over all
Above the hearse, it gracefully flew,
Waiting patiently, as mourners drew.

Along the road, buzzards lined the way,
A guard of honor, without dismay.
Watching, waiting, with solemn gaze,
As Rab embarked on his final phase.

Even now, the buzzard still comes near,
A comforting presence, to calm any fear.
His old nurses, they still remark,
Of Rab's buzzards flying, in the light or in the twilight.

Approving of the home, Rab left behind,
A sanctuary, for peace of mind.
And on that day, after the service so grand,
A little white feather, from an angel's hand.

It floated gently, in the breeze,
A true sign of Rab's eternal ease.
He's found his wings, he's taken flight,
But still he watches, day and night.

So when you see a buzzard on high soar,
Know that Rab is watching, forevermore.
A guardian spirit, in the sky above,
Forever cherished, with eternal love.

Mervyn Graham (cc 2024)