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Fingers and Thumbs
Three of us it took, and over an hour, to agree That all the cows were where they ought be How many could we see and count Fifty six should have been the right amount Browns and blacks and Devon Reds shifted As we counted, those huge beasts drifted Heavy silhouettes turned to solid shapes →
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For Me?
I found it there on my way home Tied with green nylon rope Neatly knotted to a plastic drum And two fathoms length further Another, its side cut out, roughly trimmed Where careless crabs might sidle in I think it was meant But then again, this fickle sea can be quite unkind She probably had →
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Day 33
At times words are inadequate. Common enough moments for humanity, such as a woman giving birth, are in the living of the moment, beyond words. Today, before first light, my sister’s first grandchild was born. The day has been “very emotional.” My sister says before climbing the stairs to an early bed. Many people know →
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Crossing Over
Thirty two days now I’ve been out walking What have I found and what have I seen? A spotted catfish curled up on the shore A hedgehog sent to sleep in the road A wide-eyed bird lying on the verge, so small I hid it in my hand A piece of fibre-glass hull, jetsam from →
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Over and Out
Through the walls At just after Three in the morning I hear my sister’s voice Pitched high Excited by recent events “Oh!! Thank you for calling.” Crying, sobs “Has she a name?” . I hear the owls singing in celebration on the heath A moth with two left feet tap dances joyously around my bedside →
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Day 31
The two rats that scuttle around the base of the bird feeder are becoming more adventurous. These brown rats have grown noticeably since they first appeared in the garden and one is exploring how to get at the bird-feed more directly. The highest nut container for the birds is up a wooden post that is →
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Thick Cut Marmalade
…out from bed, pull on jeans and a sweater over sleepy skin, slip into clogs, unlock the garage, push up the door, lift out the bike and spin round to the corner shop, buy a big, fat, Saturday newspaper, a fresh loaf, cycle home (steering one-handed), park the bike, pull the garage door shut, lock →
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Day 30
The sunset reveals the strength of the west wind. Long thin fingers of pink cloud extend high across the darkening blue sky. The sun disappears, but from beyond the skyline, sends a single red beam powering straight up. A trick of the light; a crimson spotlight backlighting an emptying stage. Following the arc of the →
Journey of Words 