Autumn leaves fall from the oak
revealing a nest high above
the lawn, newly visible
against a crisp blue sky, standing
out at boughs’ end like a white
stitch on a black seam, shaping
a new afternoon shadow,
remaining within sight
until spring brings a new veil
of curtaining emerald leaves
Nathanael O’Reilly
Nathanael O’Reilly is an Irish-Australian residing in Texas, and has been writing for more than thirty years. His most recent books include (Un)belonging and BLUE. More than 200 of his poems have appeared in journals & anthologies published in thirteen countries.