Winging It
He loved his pigeons, almost as much as serving
his Lord. He would attend to them
when his other flock were grazing on life.
He’d gurgle along in the loft, ministering
to their needs before the race. Setting the clock
as they were sent away for liberation,
he was all-a-flutter until the time
his darlings should return. Arriving too
the wedding couple, waiting at the altar
for his benediction, acceptance of
their vows, mutual devotion,
as he panted hot foot from the loft.
Gathering himself, he took them through the ritual,
until following their gaze to his shoes
below his surplice, blessed by pigeons,
‘For luck,’ he said, marrying his twin passions.
Malcolm Carson was born in Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire. He now lives in Carlisle, Cumbria. He has had four full collections published by Shoestring Press, most recently The Where and When (2019). Website: http://malcolmcarson.co.uk/