one morning when

one morning when
the clothesline was hung with water beads
the power-line was hung with galahs
I saw
a black shouldered hawk hunched
on a lookout post
a hoodie of clouds pulled over his head

hunting birds grow thin in winter
as reptiles sleep the cold away
and small birds hide from rain

I saw
a grey and white cat
squashed on the highway
between bush and streets
its belly full of natives
clawed from lower branches
a streak of mince under Caution Wide Load Wheels
the head still intact
popped eyes stared in the direction of a fireside.