The Harvest Mouse
By Christopher Mathews
Who first taught the Harvest Mouse, how to build her home,
high up like a teasel stem, beyond the reach of a stoat.
Spun from golden strands of barley, lined with the softest thistledown,
but food for Kestrels if she tarries too long on open barren ground.
Banished by the ploughman, to the margin of the field,
one and twenty silver moons, before her
life must yield.
She lives in the ribbon of plenty, beside the silvery stream,
where the Kingfisher keeps his kingdom, as the iridescent king.
Mirrored by the surface, of two opposing worlds,
bathed above in sunlight and veiled
below in gloom.
Dressed in robes of splendour, and lord of all he sees,
enthroned aloft in palest blue, beneath in deepest green.
Copyright Christopher Mathews
Very descriptive.
ReplyDeleteNice poem chris and what a beautiful photo. Now who on earth would harm these tiny creatures, well; Stoats, weasels, owls, hawks,dogs cats, foxes and humans even pheasants. Just as well they breed 3 times a year. Did you take the photo Chris?
ReplyDeleteBeautiful poem and I love the picture.
ReplyDelete