Sunbird

A multileveled metaphorical sonnet, dedicated to the brave farmers of Zimbabwe who struggle against huge odds to produce a crop only to have it stolen by Mugabi’s thugs.
Sunbird

He tends with love his fiery aloe flowers
puffing high between protective thorn,
an emerald jewel within elixir showers
that greet the wintry sunrise every morn.
Soft ruddy petals open to the sunshine
and slowly as their nectar starts to flow
our gently coaxing Sunbird sups on god-wine
and sings out cheerful praises in their glow.
Then suddenly, a raucous diminuendo
as red-eyed starlings uniformed in black
arrive to pluck all blossoms from the aloe,
leave ravaged stalks as victims of attack.
In protest, tiny Sunbird's shrill exclaim,
his iridescent colours
dulled in shame.