A beautiful creature is the yellow-bellied redback,
only to be found flying under the wheels of your car
in the south-west of Scotland.
He feeds mostly on the minds of the people
who are unfortunate enough to see him
and allow his velvet colors to penetrate their unwilling brains.
His habitat is naturally on the orange and green flowery
plastic curtains that breathe quietly over the bathroom window,
usually melting the fire of the setting Sunday evening,
maybe in Hampstead or Carnetime or any
place with dark green dusty hedges.
The bird, unlike the curtains,
soaks up fiery skies on his shining red featherback,
and
often in his eyes can be seen the sad reflections
of Glasgow chimney pots and Chelsea whitewash.
When he flies away,
it is usually for good.