The Sparrow Hawk, The Keeper And I

As a boy I applauded her magnificent figure;
As a boy I watched her fly, in the sky, so high.
As a boy I admired her almighty vigour;
As a boy I watched her deftly swoop and swirl.
As a boy my intransigent senses she was able to trigger.

She was coloured golden brown as she flew;
She flashed and dazzled in the early morning sunshine.
She commanded the air as she soared straight and true;
Her eyes could see far - much farther than those of you or I.
Below nothing could obscure her view of the ground, bathed in dew.

She adorned the sky as the night-time darkness was done;
She was so beautiful against the backdrop of the heavens.
She was seen at a time when blackness was on the run;
She, alone, ruled the universe ~ that is, but for one ~
Beneath her prowled the keeper in his spats and breeches ~ and his gun.  

Morning came to me easily, I ardently welcomed her here;
How could I not be in awe of this special time?
Now I could join the sparrowhawk, see her dive and veer.
She paid no heed to me ~ why should she? ~ I was her friend, you see!
She called out her 'Good morning' to me as I lent her my ear.

She flew in the peaceful stillness of the cool, clean air;
Silent, the world was silent all about us.
Then my exalted solitude was dashed , standing there;
A violent crack, a puff of smoke..... and she was gone,
I frantically searched the sky but she was nowhere.

As a man I recall my sparrowhawk, anamnesis she still dictates
(She even tumbled lifeless to the ground with dignity and grace).
As a man I may, myself, in time arrive at heaven's golden gates;
She knows that I will come and not betray her...
But she is ever patient and has faith ~ she awaits.