A Tiding of Magpies
200 words
First posted: Winter 2007
Winter is upon us; it is now often dark when I leave the office to ride home …
In the mornings I travel to work via the Marshes, if I’m very early I often spot wide-eyed rabbits and occasionally disturb a tiding of Magpies.
In the evenings when it is dark, things change. There are no street lamps on the small road that runs through the Marshes, it is often foggy and when there is no moonlight it’s just me and my bike-lights.
It’s also quieter, there is still the ongoing background rumble of the city, yet it is quiet enough to hear my breathing and the hum of the Cannondales tyres on the tarmac.
Sometimes things flash pass me, they are almost near enough to reach out and touch. These other cyclist, the ones without lights, dart quickly by, I barely see them.
I ride under a small railway bridge, a train clatters above me, it’s literally inches above my head, yellow light splashes from the carriages and for a few seconds there is nothing but noise and light.
***
A tiding of Magpies is one of nine new songs written, arranged and performed by Siskin Brace.
Posted by: Leeroy Lugg
Had a listen of Airbourne and I’m quite impressed. An interesting sound.
— Ben Hayes · Nov 15, 04:41 PM · #