Ace

Bloody hell, the world’s turned

upside down

the flame tree has become

geranium

my coral bed has grown

into a tree

the hummingbird you hammered

to the wall

though tin, could any moment

turn and flee.

The yellow sky has gone

all roundabout

and clover threes where

seaweed used to be

and blood blossoms with fire,

the powers below grow higher —

if things turn right-way-up

will the falling fire stop?

The wave is in the hill

the nest abandons me

and all the reddened earth is still

igniting