The Magnificent Magpie! Poem by Denis Martindale

I was walking past my window when something caught my eye.
I started looking high and low and spotted a magpie.
One half snow and one half coal, an adult in his prime,
Flying to a telegraph pole, up there where men would climb.
Upon a metal hand support, the magpie looked above,
As if without a second's thought, it flew, yet just enough.
Now higher up, it flew again, and it came to a stop,
To twist around and settle then, as it had reached the top.

And after that, it leapt once more, a foot and not much higher,
Without a mishap, slip or flaw, it balanced on the wire.
Although it moved, the magpie stayed, with claws that held on tight,
Until at last, no longer swayed, but suddenly took flight.
That wire wasn't like a fence to help him perch with ease,
I marvelled at his confidence, his show of expertise.
Although to him, this wasn't great, or worthy of applause,
Of course, to me, this was first-rate as I looked on indoors.

I'm thirteen stone, and that truth stings! I'm stuck on Earth, you see!
Why can't I fly? I've got no wings! I'm not as light as he!
But if I had, and if I could, I'd fly like Superman!
Yes, first around the neighbourhood, without a single plan.
But soon, I'd visit Paris, France, then roam across to Rome!
But then, no more would I advance, I'd toddle off back home!
I'd perch myself upon a chair, Pot Noodle, close at hand,
Contented and without a care, I hope you understand!

There's nothing like a little rest to take things off your mind,
I'd munch away while feeling blessed that God had been so kind.
Who knows where I will fly again? Scotland, Ireland or Wales?
I think I'll fly to sunny Spain, where sunshine never fails!


Denis Martindale.29th May 2026.

Here's a new flight of fancy poem by the Poemhunter poet Denis Martindale.

The title of the new poem is 'The Magnificent Magpie! '

Upon seeing the flying skills of a magpie, the poet wishes he could fly, too. Just like Walter Mitty, he imagines what it would be like if he went on a strict diet and had powerful wings to fly off into the sunset. Even so, the poet is a bit of a homebird at heart. So, when he gets back home again, he wonders which country he will fly to the next day! You can't keep a good man down.