God considers Her creation – a poem by Helen Evans

God considers Her creation 


Well before dawn I sprinkled sunflower hearts 
across the frosted planks of the decking
for the sparrows and blackbirds and dunnocks
right next to the hedge they hang out in.
They haven’t been near the place since.
Is it because I’m here, watching? Instead,
they flit, and cling to shining twigs, and preen.
The winter sunrise, streaming from behind,
illuminates their feathers when they fly.
Fluttering light surrounds each silhouette:
hard-edged bodies with translucent wings.

Perhaps they’re not hungry. Perhaps hunger 
means less to them than preening in the sun.
What more can I do? Why don’t they come?

Helen Evans facilitates Inner Room, a pioneer lay ministry that creates space for people to be creative, and is piloting a new project, Poems for the Path Ahead, which in 2023 included poetry workshops held in a cathedral in England and in a consecrated cave in Scotland. Her debut pamphlet, Only by Flying, was published by HappenStance Press. Her poems have appeared in The Rialto, The North, Magma, Wild Court, The Friday Poem and Ink, Sweat & Tears. ‘That Angel Hovering’ was a joint winner of the Manchester Cathedral 600 Poetry Competition. She has a master’s degree with distinction in Creative Writing from the University of St Andrews. www.helenevans.co.uk