THE RAPESEED, THE SHEEP, THE BIRDSONG & THE BADGERS... (Words written about the badgers at Temple Balsall, 30th April 2023...)

 The Rapeseed, The Sheep, The Birdsong & The Badgers…

The gleam of tall, yellow rapeseed was a shock

Upon the Warwickshire landscape, whilst its aroma

Was overwhelming and constant, yet strangely alluring.

A damp stillness penetrated the copse, its foliage now emerging

And nearby sheep became a noisy, restless flock

As evening birdsong echoed loudly to summon summer… 

A badger soon appeared, finding the scattered food appealing,

Yet it was somehow hesitant, regularly sniffing at the air

Then staring at the erratic movement, bleating and presence

Of the sheep, amid the searing, raucous insistence

Of chorusing birds. And it may also have been aware

Of my silence as I watched, delighted, its arrival thrilling… 

Pete Ray

1st May 2023 

I had walked the area during the day and had been shocked by the height and extreme perfume of the rapeseed in several fields.

I returned near dusk with food for the badgers, which three different characters ate, with extreme caution.

They must have been aware of the strong smell emanating from the rapeseed, they were clearly watchful of the sheep nearby and of course, despite wearing no aftershave, nor having eaten a curry, maybe they had clocked my presence too…