Photo by Stephanie McConnell

Tables for two at the top of steep steps,
People sitting there with drinks overlook diners
on the cobbled square below.
Pigeons in multitudes descend to the cobbles,
bobbing and leap-frogging as they cluster together

Families move around the edges of the stony expanse.
A veiled woman finally crosses, pushing a stroller.
She holds a small child by the hand, who wants
to go free, to be with the birds.

The pigeons alarm, take to the wing,
rise and then swoop and swing in great circles.
Their shadows play joy on red brick of tall
buildings across a narrow street,
buildings lit by evening’s gilded sun.

The shadows rise, fall, swoop like musical notes.
Soon, a young man enters the square, sits down on
the cobbles, puts his cap down by his feet and
begins to strum.

August 2019