IN THE NIGHT GARDEN

dusk slowly settles over the gardens like dust
blanketing the sweeping lawns
the rioutous flower borders

the broad-leaved plants

the stocky tree trunks

which all begin to fade imperceptibly

into the all-consuming darkness

courting couples slip quietly away down winding paths

tired children are kissed and carried home
peacocks strut away out of view

the cries of the parakeets tail off
the buzzing of insects becomes fainter
exotic scents mingle in the warm evening air
lavender and orchid
iris and buddleja
frangipani and rhododendron
honey locust
fountains burble away quietly
continuing their murmuring timeless soliloquy
at the edge of a flower border
beside the aviary
beneath the twinkling stars
a curious bronze figure stands motionless
tiny round head perched on a long thin neck
it stares straight ahead unmoving
its wings stunted and malformed

as if the sculptor lost heart or was in a rush

broad spatula-like feet anchor the long spindly legs
suddenly an eye blinks and rotates 360
the creature twitches robotically into life
its turquoise head cautiously turns

it cranes its slender neck
peers suspiciously around
then bending its long wader-like legs
it steps gawkily out of the border
onto the path
and strides jerkily away into the enveloping gloom