the cankers of envy and faction

[A]udible here and there / in the half-dark, members of an avian orchestra / are already softly noodling, limbering up for / an overture at sunrise, […]

‘Look at that!’ she shouted, already backing up the Jeep, its tyres zithering on the crusty surface.

‘Heaven help this silly fellow,’ murmured the perplexed locksmith.