Bridewell

(Bristol, UK)

We tread the pavement,
traffic swarming the street,
engulfed by shrieking brakes
and hot fumes
as buses pull away.
We rush forwards,
not noticing,
until you say -
Birds!

I follow
an imaginary beam
shining from your fingertip
to the front of the Central Police Station -
there, flying below
the fluted frieze and parapet,
a flock of birds
etched
into blackened sandstone.