Yes, I have sent three crows
to crenellate your guttering,
to stave your powerlines:
muttering their rosaries,
they will watch over you.

Yes, I have sent two magpies
to swoop in your yard,
to carol in your mornings:
they are our morsebirds,
our speaking in their songs.

But also I have sent a single
rainbow lorikeet, whose work
is just to play, whose charge
is to show you colour,
to make you smile.
In my own far paddock
I wear dark feathers in my coat
and await my winged day.

(for Sharon)