Saker Falcon

When falcons can be trained by Man, A partnership is born And if all things then go to plan, Is that something to scorn? Suffice to say, that Man and bird Can find some harmony, If gentle training has occurred Instead of cruelty... Such partnerships are commonplace, Just like the dog and horse, Submitting so that each obeys, With rewards to enforce... When falcons fly, their minds recall What every servant knows, The bond is there, invisible And yet, each day it grows... Perhaps they've found some sense of peace, Companionship and more, That grants lost freedoms gentle ease, That memories can't ignore... I'd rather see a falcon free, No earthly ties that bind, Alas, that isn't up to me, Each man must change his mind... Denis Martindale, copyright, April 2014. The poem is based on the magnificent painting by Stephen Gayford, nb Google search gayfordgallery. Find more wildlife poems using Google search for the search phrase Stephen Gayford poetry.