Steve Harrison’s poem explores the idea that changing light affects the behaviour of nature and humankind. Illustration by Thomas Pullin.

It’s only a tilt
a nudge on an axis
the pendulum’s annual sway
when this shire
blends the oral spectrum
from snowdrop white to daffodil yellow. It’s only a matter of degrees
Mason marked in pagan precision awaiting the sunbeams
to breach the carved calendars
in slotted awakening.
It’s only an increment of light
to wake the north from hibernation
into incubated growth.

Redwing and fieldfare migrate
aim for the changing Sun
leaving space for swallow and house martin to keep the equilibrium
and stop the planet toppling
in this precarious exchange

balancing their eggs

new life.