The Phoenix
(Written 1st July 2016. Centenary of the Battle of the Somme)
​
My eyes of sparkling sapphires glow
The deepest, radiant blue.
A golden nimbus crowns my head
My feathers yellow, green and red
A dusty nest. My only bed.
Oh what's a bird to do?
I've watched a thousand years of pain.
I have a special view.
I've seen the errors of the world.
Seen history itself unfurled.
The scenes before my eyes have swirled.
Oh what's a bird to do?
Each generation makes mistakes.
They make them all anew.
The wars of hate, the wars of greed,
The hate of race, of colour, creed,
There is no point, there is no need.
Oh what's a bird to do?
And so I will be born again
To once more see it through,
In hope that man will learn to care,
Cooperate, support and share,
To love and honour and be fair.
That is what man should do.
