I see the little bluetits on the trellis
from the bathroom window
as i’m taking a piss
winter
is dragging itself over the mountain
& it has driven the birds down here
to seek the red berries
& the peanuts i put out
for a reason unknown
they make me think,these little birds
of those times
when,in a dark & dirty kitchen
i had nothing
but a pen & some paper
& a potato baking in the oven
(if i had gas)
& a fire inside
a blue,blue flame
that i didn’t know how to use or douse
i remember the rain lashing on the windows
& i remember the emptiness
of that kitchen
& the dark unlit rooms in the flat behind me
& the big empty bed waiting
& the tiny black -&- white TV
& these birds now take me back to that place
at that time
on their golden fluttering wings
when i had fuck all
& wanted nothing
else
.
Niall Griffiths
Picture Nick Victor
.