The Magpie's Head

[Stephen Whiteside]

I was reading about owls recently, and how they decapitate their prey. It should be obvious, but I'd never really thought about it before.


The Magpie’s Head

© Stephen Whiteside 06.10.2012

The magpie's head was very cross.
Severed. At a total loss.
He saw now he was not the boss.
The message came too late.

“You come into my nest at night,
Remove my neck with just one bite.
I’m telling you, it isn’t right
To treat a bird this way.”

The owl just blinked, as owls will do.
His talons pierced the body through;
Crumpled, now, this thing that flew,
And missing, too, its head.

The magpie’s head would not let up.
“I understand your need to sup.
Why not pinch a possum pup?
They’re a dime a duz.”

Frustrated, he began to sing.
His voice, alas, lacked all its ring
Without his chest and lungs to bring
The fulsome glory out.

“You’ve done for me. I’m now no good.
I’m useless as a lump of wood.
I’d bite YOUR head off if I could,
But it’s too late for that.”

The head then gently closed its eyes.
It suddenly felt very wise.
Something, too, began to rise
To join the other part.

Spirit head joined spirit neck,
Transforming ugly, battered wreck;
Spirit magpie, without check,
Ascended to the sky.

Another day. Another meal.
We simply can’t afford to feel
Compassion for the food we peel
And swallow at the table.

[Heather]

I LOVE it Stephen!

Heather

[Stephen Whiteside]

Thanks, Heather. I've been reading a lot about Ned Kelly lately. Reading it again now, I think there's bit of Ned in that magpie!

[Heather]

Ned Kelly and magpies. Now you see I wouldn't necessarily have thought of the two together!

Have you read Keith McMenomy's book Ned Kelly The Authentic Illustrated History Lovely book.

[Stephen Whiteside]

Well I didn't either, but looking back, I think that's what's happened. Things get mixed up.

Yes, know it well. I don't think I've read it, though. I always get too distracted by the pictures!

[Zondrae]

morning Stephen,

What I ask is... why are we not seeing your name in the results of these competitions that call for humour? Are you too busy to enter. Or are you blessed with confidence in the fact that you 'write good stuff' and don't bother to compete?

[Stephen Whiteside]

I suppose I've never been a huge fan of competitions, Zondrae. I did enter them for a while just to prove to myself that I could do it - and I acquitted myself reasonably well. My focus has always been on publication and performance - and, increasingly, writing for children rather than adults. Then there's all the business of hunting down the competitions, filling out the entry forms, getting it all just right - and they're all a little bit different. It's tedious and time-consuming. More recently I've been having a crack at writing stories, and not writing as much poetry. Now I seem to be back on the poetry again, although I'd like to also write more songs for children. There's just not enough time! Thanks for the compliment, though.