Competition Winner - January 2014The Return Of Birdsong - Stephen A. Roberts

A pretty tune I think we made
Us 13 notes, upon a crooked stave.
Ready to leave our crowded perch
to fly across this blasted Earth.

On stateless wings we'll take our chance
against the sparrowhawks and nets in France;
We'll soar upon the Earth's magnetic tide
and with nameless brothers will we ride.

Spurred on by vicious avian gods
we'll follow Nature's hidden roads.
When journey's done we'll do the same,
we'll return to face the risks again.

Meeting up in the same old place,
an anxious search for a familiar face;
as we line up in our summer coats
and sing our song - with fewer notes.

Stephen A. Roberts