The Birds and the Bees

Cherry

By Silver Spun Sand

Fri, 12 Jun 2015
  • 3453 reads
14 comments
 
A ribbon of mist curls from the moor skirts the river;
a farmer’s predatorily parked Jeep at the entrance
to the field says he’s shooting muntjac, again; an age 
since I saw one, quietly grazing on their corn. Our hamlet 
cocooned in the elbow of the Flit, this year has sown 
a new crop of affordable housing; with prices
going through the roof a popular cash crop to grow,
but in his 1930’s chalet bungalow next door to mine
the old man still puts up the bean-poles with precision,
she still hangs the rag-rug on the line – beats it with gusto...
and he – in corduroys and cardi, with rubber buttons
mulls over how many sunflowers he’ll plant this season,
wonders how to keep the mice out of his bee-hives,
and at tea-times, she still cuts the rind off the bacon,
dices the bread into squares, because, each afternoon
at five, come hell or high water, or heaven forbid,
the start of World War III, god willing there is 
and always shall be, the feeding of the birds.
 
 
Certificate U
Poem
Silver Spun Sand Poems
Nature

Comments

Submitted by Penny4athought on

This was so evocative of a time when life was simple and simply wonderful. Very well written and an enjoyment to read..very heart healthy!

Penny4athought

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Thanks, Penny.  'Heart healthy'...I like thatsmiley

 

Submitted by Pat G on

Love the cardi, and mice in the  hives. Redolent of our disappearing human space.  I can picture it all.

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Couldn't have summed it up better myself, Pat.  Many thanks

 

Submitted by Deliberately Ev... on

This is so beautiful and so real. I'm there - they are my neighbours.

The beat of your heart is the mellifluent rhythm to my soul.

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

I am so glad to hear it, Ae.  You are truly blessedsmiley

 

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

I think I've read this in a different form, but this compact form certainly suits it, and as the others, like the detailed picture so much so neatly portrayed of the changes and the hard working and enjoyed routines. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Hello there, Rhiannon...so pleased you enjoyed, and many thanks for telling mesmiley

Tina

 

Submitted by tibi popovici on

sunflowers, bee hives, mice... so many interesting thoughts you have when you see a neighbour, tina :)

like anything its short, but you cut it through :)

T.

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Thanks, tibi.  The list is endless of interesting things about my neighbours.  The things I have talked about here, plus many more besides...tractors, chickens,  'Jacob' sheep which are piebald (black and white) and dozens more.  So pleased you enjoyed.

Tinasmiley

 

Submitted by Bee on

What a fantastic last line. I felt emotionally attached to this poem - hated the new houses, sad about the deer and loved the old tradition of the neighbours; found comfort in the continuity as everything around changes. Such an amazing poem, even by your high standars, Tina. 

Bee

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Bee - your words mean so very much to me.  Thank you so very much.

Tina

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

An uncomplicated life portrayed so well in this poem. I agree with Bee about the saddness of new houses going up, taking away the scenery of surrounding countryside. Also the killing of the muntjac, one of the unfortunate circumstances to encounter.

But all is balanced out in this piece, by the feeding of the birds and protection of the bees, with the growing of the Sun Flowers...such a perfect scene!

By the way, loved the first line, very imaginative.

A Vistual poem to read.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Thanks, so much, Jenny, and I'm really pleased you enjoyed this one so much.  Loads and loads of new houses are going up all around the village where I live, and it is so very daunting seeing the countryside I love so much disappearing.  

Have a  peaceful evening, Jenny, and thanks, once again.

Tina