ROOK

First published in June 2021

'Not just
a big black bird',
it says
on the back of the card
(for Father's Day).

True, it's a beauty,
wings shining green
streaked with gold,
jutting tail, the beak
a fierce yellow dagger.

Comic too
with spindly legs
in plus-four trousers,
splayed four-toed feet -
but beware the rook

a haunting threat
in its bullet-sharp eyes.