Ambushed Poem by Andy Brookes

birds line washing lines to watch, listen and gossip
or walk across the lawn leaving imprints poetic,
they tug at scarce worms
a meagre return but seeing better
they invest in the bird table's banquet.

then the bully starlings come
and snipe and snap at the tits and sparrows,
thrushes and blackbirds stabbing with sharp beaks,
robin make a stand but out numbered retreats,
leaving the field free for these brigands.

flocking and squabbling they gorge on fat balls and nuts
but stealthy high, hovers harrier hawk, wings out stretched
quick death writ callous across the azure dome.
grossly intent on the smorgasbord of delights,
too late they sense the danger swift and sure
falling supersonic she pins one, death in her claws,
slash of sabre beak, a puff of feathers and then gone
silence ensues.