Benny And The Canary 1956 Poem by Terry Collett

Janice's gran said
don't let the canary
fly out the window.

I won't
Janice said.

Gran made sure
all windows and doors
were shut.

Ok you can let
the bird out now
her gran said.

I stood watching
as Janice opened
the birdcage
put her hand in
the yellow canary
jumped onto her
small finger.

She brought
the bird out
on her finger
we watched as it
fluttered its wings
and chirped loudly.

Janice lifted
her finger
level with her eyes
and spoke to it.

I said nothing
but stood there
watching.

Her gran had only
let me in
if I promised not
to teach the bird
bad language
I promised.

Who's a pretty boy then
Janice said.

The bird held its head
to one side
chirped
but said no words.

He spoke that time
when I was alone with him
and told him
a few words
and he said them
almost straight away.

I wondered if
he remembered me
and would
repeat them today.