An Everyday Story of Country Folk

By Silver Spun Sand

Wed, 15 Apr 2015
  • 1131 reads
4 comments
 
Ribbons of mist curl and rise from the moor skirts the river;
a farmer’s son’s parked 4 x 4 at the edge of the field
means he’s out shooting muntjak, again; an age 
since I saw one, quietly grazing on their corn.
 
Our little hamlet cocooned in the elbow of the Flit, this year
grows a new crop of raw, red bricks and with house prices
going through the roof a popular cash crop to sow,
but in the little bungalow next door
 
the old man still puts up the bean-poles – burns the trash,
she stands at the backdoor taking the air with her red dress on...
he – in check shirt and cardi with rubber buttons, thinks
about how many sunflowers he’ll plant this season
 
and at tea-times, she cuts the rind off the bacon,
dices the bread into tiny squares, for every afternoon
at five, come hell or high water, or heaven forbid,
the start of World War III, there is always 
the feeding of the birds..
 
Ah, yes, some might say...just the rituals
we go through every day, like shaking hands
doffing one's hat.  Or indeed, for good luck, don't
we say...knock on wood? 
 
All well and and good...
until the last tree's felled, but then, of course,
there is always the feeding of the birds.
Certificate PG
Poem
Philosophy
Biography
Nature
Opinion

Comments

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Don't need the wood for knocking on, but those birds being fed sure need them for bugs and nests!
Just changed the last verse since last night? I think I hadn't picked up the relevant point of the woods by the old bungalow being removed for housing, sorry. Much change. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Thanks, so much for reading this again, Rhiannon, and also for the comment you left last night on the original version.  It seems to have gone AWOL, , so I'm doubly appreciativesmiley

Have a peaceful day, and thanks again.

Tina

 

Submitted by tibi popovici on

I find it so natural flowing, like a river, but with words. The folk will always endure in our heart. Great Tina! Like it!

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Thanks, Tibismiley

Tina