Bird is Prophet

Yes, there will be singing, morning and evening,
And at noon forgetfulness in the silence.

But now suddenly
Shattering the heat the bird's song,
And in a clear moment
Comes the knowledge, the certainty.

Music flung boldly into the half-light,
This is to be expected;
Standing in the street or under the trees,
We can bear that violence,
Softly or loudly wrought.
But against this sudden song
We are defenceless.
The bird is the prophet.
Music the certainty.

Mary Milne