Yesterday, an orange in the
road. below my window this morning,
two sevillanos whistle their tune.
days of rain ahead. the gas tank sounds
fixed: hot water, coffee, washing-
up. yesterday an orange in the
road – beside a square of restive
palms. today, cathedral or bust:
kestrel choir, flaming ruffs.

Royston Tester is the author of three collections of short fiction, most recently You Turn Your Back (Tightrope Books).