I Saw A Magpie

I saw a magpie land on the fence
of my back garden and I panicked.
I recalled that one is for sorrow,
two is for joy. (and so on till seven)
but forgot what was the etiquette
that anyone was required to follow.

 
I can only claim in my defence
that suddenly my mind went blank.
Didn't I have to wave to that bird,
say 'good morning mister magpie'
and turn around three times?
My thought process was blurred

 
and my response was far too late;
the corvine vertebrate had jumped
onto the lawn, appearing to titubate.
A black cat that looked very vicious
crossed his path, so he flew away;
perhaps he too was superstitious.

© Luigi Pagano 2021