Sort Sol

by John Mellor

During spring in Denmark, at approximately half an hour before sunset, flocks of more than a million European starlings (sturnus vulgaris) gather from all corners to join in incredible formations . This phenomenon is called Black Sun (Sort Sol), and can be witnessed in spring (March-April) or autumn (in September) throughout the marshlands of western Denmark – Tønder, Højer. The starlings migrate from the south or Norway and spend the day in the meadows gathering food, sleeping in the reeds during the night.

I wish for wood
In a garden or a field
Alone, in the center

Found black blossoms
In the field, black
Garden, bounding over

Belief. Search, feel the
Branches, they're wood
Anchoring thoughts, and

Inside, unreal. Sort
Sol patrols for the King
Watchful for the luminary

This wood is getting mushy, Sun
King would call it abomination
Nothing good, except for the worm!

So I kneel in oblation
To God Worm high
Holiest of the dirt circus

Black. Yellow eye starling
Peels away from the pack
Burrow down blind lord

We can continue our conversation
Another time. Lone star
Vanishes, beneath the pines...