RETURNING TO THE TEMPLE LANE COPSE...

 Returning To The Temple Lane Copse…

An evening sun hung low like an amber air balloon

Over woods and fields into the far distance.

It failed miserably to touch the January chill

In cold air infiltrating the copse’s leafless expanse…

Supported by one crutch, careful steps along 

The dry and wet, ice scattered Temple Lane,

Drew me towards the familiar angular stripped trees,

Harbouring badgers within an undulating terrain…

Morsels of food were cast like seeds to sow into the silent copse,

As exposed fingers stiffened and daylight turned into gloomy shade.

But sadly no badgers peered or emerged from their leaf-clad setts,

Too cold, too early and too raw for foraging in the hidden glade…   

Pete Ray

21st January 2023 

A careful crutch-aided walk along Temple Lane, avoiding the wet and frozen areas, led me to the badger copse, where I threw food for the rural brocks to find. 

By 16.45 hours, after a cold wait on a grass verge, it was clear that no badgers would be surfacing for a feast until later in the evening…

It was good to be back though, despite being encumbered by a replacement hip…