JUST AS THE CHILL CREPT INTO MY FINGERS... (My new poem about the badgers at Temple Balsall...)

 Just As The Chill Crept Into My Fingers…

A female pheasant, summarily surprised 

By human presence, high-stepped

A panicky exit from the woodland scrub.

But then there was nothing except fading light,

Until, as the evening cold shuddered at me,

A blackbird arrowed across my eye-line, prised

From its singing perch, whilst a robin crept

And mithered with a shrill chirping hubbub.

Finally, as evening’s gloom rendered its spite,

Two badgers exited their sett from beneath a tree…

They were clearly nervous, alert and watchful,

Feeding silently upon peanuts, their caution was mindful…

Pete Ray

3rd April 2023

  

Having seen little evening activity around the setts in 2023 it was pleasing to see a pair of badgers finally emerge and feed a little on this occasion.

The pheasant, the blackbird and robin preceded the badgers’ entrance.

As usual, the sound of a passing vehicle caused a fast retreat for both beasts and by then it was becoming too dark to see in the copse anyway…