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morning hope everyone had a good weekend, although the snow has all gone now here is a wintery robin shot
the below is a poem my mum wrote about the robin, initially written for a wildlife poetry competition on ‘an unusual look at nature’ and as its about my favourite bird - i wanted to share it
“The Song of Cock Robin
I don’t belong on Christmas cards
I’m not that fond of snow
My habitat the summer haunts
Where all my rivals go.
I’m somewhat territorial
You see my yuletide guise
But far away from holly boughs
I dominate the skies.
You buy my clichéd image
Accustomed to such spin
You smile at festive portraits
Ignore the steel within.
Blue-tits, wrens and blackbirds
They congregate en masse
The truth is, I’m a loner
I watch them as they pass
My colleague, the raucous magpie
Attracts a poorer press
[ I thank my scarlet feathers
I dress but to impress! ]
I star in many stories
My red breast from the Cross
I am the stuff of legends
My triumphs and my loss.
I’ll share a bitter secret:
That sparrow was to blame
The one that shot Cock Robin
Robbed me of half my name.
Deprived me of my image
Reduced to cards and hype
I play my part in public
But then revert to type.
So perch me on a post-box!
[ That red it suits me so ]
My plumage set off nicely
By fairy lights that glow.
A litany of heroes
The Eagle, Heron, Kite
I belong with daring creatures
I claim my own birthright.
Who’s heard of human infants
Christened with such a name?
Yet mine they use so freely
My reputation, tame.
I close my eyes and speculate
The climate’s changing fast
Who knows when your tinsel fantasy
Will belong firmly in the past?
So I can dream and soar above
My annual festive shame
I contemplate a time when men
Will tremble at my name.”
Catherine Brown
(PLEASE NO AWARDS OR PICTURES OR FLASHY BADGES)
I have had my eye on this for a very long time, finally broke down and bought it yesterday. Now, to find out its age, and if the artist is known. Signature in the final image.
Cocked and Loaded (Colonel John) and jockey Irad Ortiz Jr win the Tremont at Belmont Park 6/5/15. Trainer: Larry Rivelli Owner: Richard Ravin