SMALL PLEASURES

the parakeets have followed me

across the sea and into Prazeres

their bodies, a jewel of flesh

jade against the blue sky

their beaks, blood-red
call out to me

through windows and falling leaves

across the white slabs of grave stones,

perched high on lampposts,

alongside the golden memory of ships

they glisten over the city, meaningless

apart from the freedom of flight

JESSICA WOOD

Also by Jessica

OBSERVE

Prazeres means pleasure in Portuguese