You
if you were a holy person
birds would fly to your hand
the way they flew to that elderly man
on the path by the Serpentine
to feed on the pellets and seeds
piled up on his welcoming palm
if you were only you
you’d stroke the shadowy contours
of your fear’s averted face
then settle down in its presence
like lovers on a sofa
in front of an open fire
then if you held out your hand
a female blackcap would fly
out from the fireplace
unharmed
you’ll feel her grip as she lands
on your outstretched fingertip
Helen Evans’s pamphlet, Only by Flying was published by HappenStance Press in 2015. She has a Master’s degree in Creative Writing from the University of St Andrews. Her website is www.helenevans.co.uk