One For Sorrow

On darkened path below the trees
The winter chose for me to walk,
Between the puddles and pulp of leaves,
A Magpie hops, heart in her beak
Along a bough just out of reach.

She burrows down into her nest,
With my heart warming her to sleep,
But I can't get a wink of rest,
I lie without my dignity,
And pride of which she gutted me.

Now winter's months have been quite cruel,
As Magpie swoops down from her branch,
Circling my tortured soul,
And here I walk the path despite,
Magpie, watching me with strange delight.

I follow on from whence I came,
Staggering through frozen 'scape,
But bleaker still my wretched shame,
That here again I'll pass tomorrow,
Sighing, 'One for sorrow, one for sorrow'.