Hedges

Days after the blackthorn 
Is providing some support
For the spring rebuild
of nests I am still stuck
with the job of digging
the bloody darts from my wrist
my chest, my legs
are scratched, my face punctured
by the petulant barbs
despite my annual efforts
they will eventually beat me
down, make of me a pyre, recycle
me into the soil, my limbs
will become their tangled heap
in the sodden field

~

CLP 22/02/2024