Wheatear

    Brown lark¹ beside the sun

    Supervising Carrigskeewaun

    In late May， marsh² marigolds

    And yellow flags， trout³ at the low

    Bridge hesitating， even

    The ravens⁴' ramshackle nest——

    Applaud yourself， applaud me

    As I find inside the cottage

    A wheatear from Africa

    Banging against the windowpane

    And hold in my hands her creamy-

    Buff underparts and white rump

    And carry her to the door

    And she joins you beside the sun

    Before skimming across the dunes⁵

    To mimic⁶ in a rabbit hole

    Among silverweed and speedwell

    My panic， my breathlessness.