Rotting Apples And Hopping Birds
Apples have fallen to the green, uncut grass. To decompose and disappear Into the tree roots for next year Unless cleared to the compost Hungry winter birds with darting eyes Alight to peck, peck, peck Through the apple’s waning red and yellow skins Before fleeing to the safety of the surrounding leafless trees. Brown sparrows, Blue Tits, Yellow Finches The black and white stalking magpie The Pink, Blue and Big Beaked Jay Prancing from one apple to the next The Blackbirds with their black glossy eyes And orange beaks that match the apple’s juicy flesh. Each and every bird, alert to every man or beast All drop down to get their fill. West Wales 2021.
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Disappearing Starlings
The massive mummerings That filled the skies, and us with awe Are fewer and further between They no longer have the numbers The skilful soaring Starlings are down by 75% The fields no longer have the insects So reports the RSPB in 2021. West Wales October 2021
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