into the woodland

I stepped

from the west end

of the mile tunnel

on Leeds/Liverpool canal

at Barrowford today.

 

Saw willow

and holly

and oak

and beech

all still in delicate

pale shades

of spring

holly excepting

 

the slanting sun's rays

filtered through

boughs and branches

shone on

blue bell soldiers

in sparkling sapphire uniforms

standing to attention on

a verdant carpet

woven of grass

 

flying from

branch to branch

and tree to tree

I saw

blue capped blue tits

black capped bull finches

with radiant

red waistcoats

black and white

feather crowned jays

with blue and white wings

and the olive brown song thrushes

wearing spotted waistcoats

 

the different birds

formed a choir

and sang praises

of the sun's

smiling presence

I'm convinced

I saw

a conductor signal

and heard

the soldiers respond

by ringing

their bells silently

thus embellishing

the bird song

 

uplifted by

magic of the

blue bell woodland

I returned home

happy

and contented