By Vita Forest
While carrying a bag of cat litter through the supermarket
I was startled when three pigeons swooped up
the Jams and Spreads Aisle
Over the Fruit and Veg
And across to the Frozen Food section.
Three birds!
In this underground supermarket!
Taking off and flying over the shelves in formation
As if migrating together over rows of tall buildings
All the same height.
And I thought
How did they get in?
And I thought
How will they get out?
And I thought
We need that girl from school
That wide-eyed uncertain girl
peering sideways, talking hesitantly
But she certainly knew what to do
That time on playground duty when a group of breathless girls
Ran to report
A mynah bird in the classroom!
It couldn’t get out!
I advised opening blinds and windows
And carefully herding it toward freedom.
But this girl, this uncertain girl
Marched into the classroom
Swooped down on the anxious mynah
Cradled it in her hands
Walked determinedly outside
And released it.
“Wow!” I thought
(“She has chickens,” I was told.)
But today
we need that girl again.
In the underground supermarket
Can someone make the announcement on the loudspeaker please?
She is needed in Aisle 12
Near the Frozen Fruit.
