One for the Toad!
One for the Toad!
Greeted by the sun on a late September morning – under a thin – whitewashed blue sky,
A Magpie circumnavigates the Yonderland border – casually climbing high!
Songbirds flitting through the Hawthorn hedgerow – the soundtrack a delicate tune,
The Crows caw and cackle within their resident tree – as we march on up to noon!
A tapestry of painted Autumn colours – brings to life the treeline – on the far side of the field,
With various strands of maturity – the road it finds its security – a sanctuary with a shield!
Wood Pigeons meander – visiting nest sites – highlighted by their warm soft calls,
I’m lost in the moment and soaking in nature – drifting like a leaf that lies where it falls!
Time ticks around until its second breakfast – aiding digestion with the help of a tour,
The ornamental Crab and the mystery Apple – offering a harvest in deep red for sure!
Capturing images and discovering crystals – reminiscences distinguish with age,
Following footpaths that weave through the fruit trees – all roads leading to the stage!
With that its time to mount my trusty steed and its engine begins to purr and sing,
Moving anti-sunwise around the Labyrinth outer circle – sculpting out the perfect ring!
On conclusion I move on and start to define the boundary – along the Hawthorn hedge,
The chairs are moved to clear my direction – carefully retired and placed at the edge!
Sweeping past the entrance – the turn of the bend – when there’s a sudden crunch,
Thanks to my suicidal haversack falling in front of me – I kill my backpack and my lunch!
A wrestling match ensues as I come to a full stop – a typical tale of my escapades,
Thankfully the mower is fit and unharmed – and Glentaowen slowly frees the blades!
With a hint of apprehension – I restart the engine – and I am thankfully on my way,
Sadly my haversack and my lunch are no more – but at least I can go about my day!
Taming the outskirts – I move on to the middle section so the fence lines can be drawn,
Marking out measurements – confirming technicalities – and the avenue is born!
Travelling in ever decreasing – rectangular circles – with the taming of the land,
Laying a carpet while following the contours – and exactly as was planned!
A murder of Crows is spinning in spirals – gathering features to put on a display,
A collection of groupings becoming a whole – impressive in numbers to celebrate the day!
Kicking up dust clouds – disturbing the ashes – from grass fires of the recent past,
Levelling the fresh tufts and re-established thistles – as forever growing fast!
I buzz around the young Fir Tree denoting the north – protected from the Deer,
After surviving an earlier munching back in time – I want to make that clear!
I move on to the bottom section and skirt the perimeter – down and around the future pond,
Where the Gatekeeper ignites a well-tended fire – for the future and beyond!
Still I trundle on past the Blackberries and under the Goat Willow – and on to complete the round,
The Crows are still playing – in a now widespread displaying – up above our sacred ground!
With phase two completed I address my short comings – trimming the parts that I missed,
Taking a break and its time for a pit-stop – with any mechanical problems dismissed!
Several Dragonflies dart around in the sun – with various forms represented out on the wing,
The Grove Robin makes an entrance to witness the commotion – without the want to sing!
Re-ignition comes to pass and with engine humming – a Buzzard appears low overhead,
Its dark brown plumage immaculate – a natural beauty – with that no more need be said!
With the marker posts in order – just the avenue and the car park – to complete of my mission,
And without any mishaps – I continue with several laps – nearing the end of this rendition!
Casually I tackle the car-park and the higher ground – at a gentle saunter I admire the view,
Seeking out nature to include in the Grove Diary – something that I always do!
Suddenly I see movement from the corner of my eye – on a collision course in front of me,
I stomp on the break and come to a standstill – looking suspiciously for what I can see!
An adult Toad appears from the shelter of the grass – looking for a place to hide,
I call for assistance and ask to escort it to safety – not wanting to move my ride!
Glentaowen comes to the rescue and delivers it to the sidings – where it wanders out of sight,
Free in the corner to find a new home – with an accident averted its future looks bright!
Taking down the last wisps of irregular trimmings – conformity being the name of the game,
Today the blades were lowered to leave a final flourish – and its never looked quite the same!
More than happy with the final production – we sit in admiration in the late afternoon sun,
The fire is attended to for one last time – and contentedly we all wander off as one!
