The Bird In The Air Pump Poem by Kevin Patrick

The night stands still and forever bright
in the fragile grace of the oiled light
while the gentry gaze in their enlightened fold
watch the age of science in its birth unfold


preserved in time in Wrights great hand
their noble statures as the artist planned
round the table where keen faces gleam
stirred by Boyles pneumatic scheme

see two young men's bright fascination
unconcerned with the sufferings visitation
one girl cries, as one adverts her eyes
as shes counselled my her fathers reasoned guise


And on the edge a boy holds on to the empty cage
waiting patiently on the cockatiels fate
meanwhile two lovers green with age
gaze on each other ignorant of the worlds great stage

As an old man sits and softly contemplates
Wondering what hidden horrors awaits
and overhead the natural philosopher stairs
as if watching us and saying do you dare
Let tomorrow reap what you aren't aware


and now atlas three centuries have passed
yet still they pose in their merry mass
as the future watches out of frame
in the hands of progresses immortal flame


yet still the question is undefined
will the light of science bring us the divine
or will our fate be like that bird
trapped and dying in screams unheard