Electronic Robin

A poem by Alicia Hayden

Poem by: Alicia Hayden

Artwork by: Alicia Hayden

Electronic Robin

Switch on the electronic robin

Wind up the mechanism so it springs to life

Each morning: blue-light song-burst.

Does this work?

This wake-up call?

Across the street, the cat stretches -

Green eyes flashing.

Inside. 

Windows drawn open, so the gas light streams in

Lighting electric, shining metal cases

- large woodlice, metal-lice -

That trundle through tarmac, track across concrete,

The cat yawns - eyes up the clockwork bird, 

And slinks off into the artificial morning glow.

Alicia Hayden

This poem features in Volume 5: Technology. Click the button below to shop the full volume now.