PARROTS SETTLE IN THE SUBURBS

An emerald flock flashes out
lasooes the rooves of London
imported spice from paradise
flavour of dubloon, lagoon;
close to the airport, escapologists
multiplying in the wing-wide air.
No notion yet if they will turn
grey squirrel, knot-weed, mink
or if their tropic lime will blend
with cricket pitch and oak
viridian and verdigris
forest groves of Arden, Sherwood,
chord a bright note of light
in all the greens of England.

*Up to 20,000 parrots are now living wild in London and the South East.
2003 BBC News Education