Brief Encounter – Norma Procter

The sky is indigo. Against its depth
Sudden Autumn leaves on the cherry
Took my breath away. I stared, silent.
How long did I stand there in late sun?
How long did I stare in disbelief. I must
Have seen it before or did I always
Look downwards as I walked. Today
It was glorious. Late sun painted
Against deep indigo, its colour splash
Worthy of Van Gogh in its density.
Turning back to the shade of home
Shining eyes watched me, staring
As I had stared – a photo errant robin
Perched on the lamp. Static for a minute,
A flash of red dominant, he assessed me,
Head on one side, feathers shining. A brief
Encounter. Eyes locked we stood together
Silent, his gaze fixed rigid, his chest bright
Cadmium red glowing in dull indoor light.
As the door opened, he cocked his tiny head,
Strutted for me in arrogance, took to wing
And sped to the air. Pausing to drink,
He looked back, haughty, dipped his wings
In salute and flew to the elements singing.