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Barbara - UK - Poetry

Page history last edited by Barbara 13 years, 6 months ago

 

These poems are in the order that they were written - inspired by the San Marcos owls and the antics in the accompanying chat room.  Unfortunately I don't have a record of the dates.  However, it is fairly obvious in many of them to which event/s I am referring.  Little snippets of fun that I hope you will enjoy reading again.    

Best wishes, Barbara.

 

 

 

Housework on hold 
Owls getting bold 
Forget about sleep 
As owls take that leap.

 

 

 

It's Max that's sitting on the roof 
There are videos, pictures showing proof 
Jumping, hopping, flapping of wings 
We’re watching, caring, as off s/he springs.

 

 

 

Looking down from such a great height, 
It won't be long before your first flight. 
We're watching, waiting and wish you luck 
If you come this way we'll have to duck! 

 

 

 

Good night all those people who need to get some sleep.  
The UK dayshift's up again - further watch to keep 
Rest well in the knowledge that there's nothing we can do 
But make a note of actions - record anything that's new.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We're so proud of that owlet that ventured up on high

 

'Wont be long until that leap that takes you up to the sky

 

For now the lure of rabbit will bring him/her safely home

 

Well done Max - what a relief! - though we love to see you roam.

 

 

 

Limericks

 

 

 

A flurry of flapping wings 
Energized fuzzy flings 
Muscles made strong 
Squawking your song 
Oh what joy he brings.

 

 

 We know he'll take off real soon 
And fly by the light of the moon 
With siblings around 
S/He'll land on the ground 
But be independent by June

 

 

 

 No wonder Wesley's a fatty 
Dining on Gopher and Ratty 
We want him to fledge 
But he stays on the ledge 
Driving us MOD's batty!

 

 

 

 By the light of the silvery moon 
We'll fly - way up high into June 
We'll follow the beams 
Into loves long dreams 
Back home we'll be snugglin' soon.

 

 

What shall we do with poor Wesley? 
Maybe change his name to Lesley? 
More confidence comes 
New identity - crumbs! 
Soon you'll be Elvis Presley!

 

 

More rhymes 

 

With my head right down, I bend down low

 

That flight to the landing's so far to go

 

Like diving off the highest board

 

We have to watch, cuz you're adored.

 

 

This is getting ridiculous - what's up with Wes? 
He thinks he'll get bullied about his feather fluff 
If it's that bad, tell him he can borrow my fez 
Better to have feathers and fluff than go out in the buff.
 
 

 

 

One, two, three…. Owls in a tree

 

Where’s number four?….. Sitting at the door.

 

Molly and McGee…. Proud parents they must be

 

Fresh food upon the floor….Who could wish for more?

 

 

 

More Limericks

 

This owl who’s afraid of the dark

 

Gets up and is out with the lark

 

She yawns through the day

 

Makes eyes at a jay

 

Who’s screech is worse than it’s bark.

 

 

 

An owl who’s afraid of the dark

 

Needs spotlights – oh what a lark!

 

It plays through the day

 

In a barn filled with hay

 

By night, on her perch, she does park.

 

 

 

Even more rhymes !

 

 

 

 

Sitting waiting squawk, squawk, squawk 
This is the way they talk, talk, talk 
Hungry, hoping for a drop 
Down they'll dive...a belly flop! 
Breakfast, lunch, dinner and tea 
They swallow a mouse... effortlessly.

 

 

 

When WILL Wesley take off and hunt? 
Catch a kill, an amazing stunt. 
Relying on parents for all her grub 
She's so hungry, her belly needs a rub! 
Austen's staying by her side 
Sticking around, just for the ride 
It's no use squawking and stamping your feet 
Your poor Mom and Dad are simply dead beat. 
Stretch those wings - fly into the night 
Be lucky - you'll soon find something to bite.

 

 

 

The owlets set off to hunt the night

Soaring, remarkable wing-powered flight

We sit and watch with baited breath

Fingers crossed tightly like grim death.

 

 

 

The wonders of nature shown once again

 

Amazing, awesome to the last grain

 

We've missed out on sleep, but no-one cares

 

We love this owl family - now I'm off up the stairs!

 

 

 

4 little hungry owls sitting in the tree 
1 flies into the sky - airborne and free 
3 little hungry owls sitting on the box 
1 flew to the perch that lurches and rocks 
2 little hungry owls sitting on the perch 
1 went into the box to do a snack search 
1 little hungry owl sitting all alone 
Waiting for Molly to bring an icecream cone!

 

 

 

Rock a bye baby owlet on the swinging perch

The breeze ruffles your feathers as you lean and lurch

Calling to your Mum and Dad...'Pleeeease bring me some dinner 

It surely must be obvious that I'm getting thinner and thinner.’

 

A mouse would fill a little hole and take the edge off my hunger 

A gopher would be better – especially a hungermunger.

 

 I really am not ready to come and hunt with you

So please come and feed me like they would in the zoo

 I’ll try and come tomorrow and try my talons out

 I’m sure the MOD’s will applaud me – then THEY’LL scream and shout!

 

 

 

The owl box is empty - it's up for rent 
Just think of the memories and time we've spent... 
Watching this famous owl family 
We've had loads of fun - you have to agree. 
We'll miss the cam and the chat as well 
New friends made and stories to tell. 
Wipe up those tears and bring out that smile 
We'll remember this for quite a while.

 

 

 

Wesley's back to say hello 
We cried yesterday when we saw her go 
Preening, squawking like before 
Asking Mom for more, more, more. 
Her vocal chords sound really loud 
She's making sure she'd be heard in a crowd 
She feels the pull to her first home 
Of owlish behaviour you're an epitome.

 

(Britt in southern cal: Oh no, my computer froze...where'd she go?)

 

Above the box, a quick circle of flight 
Then off she went ...into the night.

 

 

 

The sun is shining, the sky is blue

 

San Marcos' owlets grew and grew

 

We watched them fledge and fly on the breeze

 

Over the airwaves, from overseas

 

Sweet moments of love, daring and 'gees'

 

Indelibly engraved on our memories.

 

Thanks to all who worked so hard

 

From this, your UK retiring bard!

 

 

 

And finally I couldn’t resist having a go at Haiku

 

 

 

Molly and McGee?

 

They've fallen in love again

 

Twittering and beaks!

 

 Howlku (first attempt)

 

 

 

 

Together again 

 A perfect pair making love 
X rated owl box! 
 
Howlku number 2

 

23.07.2010

 

 

Whilst sitting on my clutch of eggs

There’s nothing much to do

I have a snack of plump rat legs

And a plucked feather or two.

 

McGee leaves me to doze all day

And brings me snacks through the night

Sits outside in the parking bay

Pops in for his dip of delight.

 

Every now and then I wake

Then stand up for a stretch

My pellets a furry carpet make

Excuse me while I wretch!

 

I step outside and spread my wings

Take off into the skies

Fly round rooftops trees and things

Watch out for rabbit pies.

 

Returning to our owl box

I can’t get back too soon

I turn our eggs and settle down

Warm in the light of the moon.

 

27.07.2010

 

Sunrise in San Marcos    (with thanks to Kristi from VA for her inspiration)

 

The sky turns a shade of azure blue

Mimosa blooms with a pinkish hue,

The start of another beautiful day

All colours of the rainbow instead of grey.

 

Molly

 

Sitting on those eggs of hers is a full time occupation

Shimmying in her own owl way - perfecting incubation.

Turning, tending carefully, with endless dedication

We watch you applauding – with a standing ovation.

 

A fur and feather carpet awaits your new family

A clutch of hungry owlets - take two for you and McGee

We’re counting down the days until the eggs begin to hatch

Three cheers for Donna and Carlos for allowing us to watch.

 

An addition to a Brussel Sprout conversation! 

 

 

Sprouts

 

Three cheers, my dears, for the humble, British, Brussel Sprout.

Christmas dinner wouldn’t be the same without it, of that I have no doubt.

Some think that eating them is an utter, dreadful sin

Beware for ruptions afterwards – better out than in!

They grow up stems spirally and look like a miniature cabbage

A sack full with your shopping is simply far too much baggage.

A brassica, so leafy green and a source of dietary fibre

Protects colons from cancer – the ultimate sinigrin tiger.

Did you know there’s four times more vitamin C than in a fruity orange

Contained in the same weight of this wonderful, verdigris lozenge?

There are lots of ways to cook them and enjoy their nutty flavour

Stir fried, roasted, boiled and steamed or even in a soup to savour.

Trim the outer leaves and in the stem base imprint a cross

So heat can infuse to the centre and avoid a crispy toss.

Including them in party poppers will make an awful mess

And only add to Mum and Dad’s pre, present and post Christmas stress.

A warning here for enthusiasts – too many and you’ll too turn green

Overcooking releases sulphur compounds so we’ll all know EXACTLY where you’ve been!

Carry some air freshener and suck some strong peppermints.

Go out to release your vapours and listen to our hints.

When you’ve had your fill of them and there are loads left over

Get out in the fields for a walk and throw them aloft for Rover.

He’ll love to catch and consume them but see the look in his face

When he takes off with jet powered wind and ends up out in space.

 

28.07.2010

Molly’s sitting, sound asleep

Her eggs are keeping warm

She wakes sometimes at the tiniest beep

And keeps them safe from harm.

 

We come online and watch her

I hope she doesn’t mind

A nice new carpet of feathers and fur

It’s the best that she could find! 

 

We chat with friends across the world

United with one love

As Molly’s story has unfurled

Thanks to him up above. 

 

Copyright © Barbara Baggs  

 

14.08.10

3 hungry owlets sitting in the nest

Molly’s looking after them - doing her level best.

 

3 hungry owlets wanting to be fed

Watched by lots of MOD’s who ought to be in bed.

 

3 hungry owlets squawking for their grub

McGee has left a snack for them before going to the pub.

 

3 hungry owlets calling out to mum

Making sure we realise that they are far from dumb.

 

3 hungry owlets fighting for some bunny

Blindly having beaks filled, looks rather funny.

 

3 hungry owlets eating bits of rat

It wont be long before we see their tummies are round and fat.

 

3 tired owlets ready for a sleep

Can I hear the fourth egg going peep pip pip peep peep?

 

24.08.10

Ashley and Carrie snuggled up real close

Awake, hungry and far from comatose

Molly out hunting and snatching a shower

Catching a glimpse of trees full of flower.

 

McGee is out looking for treats for our chicks

I hope he’s not out for a night at the flicks  (cinema in England)

Our balls of fluff squawk – they need satisfaction

From mouse, rat or rabbit interaction.

 

Time for a snuggle with Mummy, contented and full

Time watching our owls is far from dull

At one with nature we observe and learn

Waiting patiently for the pages to turn.

 

21.09.10

I see them standing by the door 
Calling Momma - we want more 
Wide awake - It's breakfast time 
A sumpin rat would be sublime.

 

Clever, Clever Ashley’s been walking out of the box

Only wearing feathers, fluffy bloomers and socks

Carrie stayed inside to watch whilst gobbling up her tea

Shouting out to Mom and Dad – you’ve gotta come and see.

 

She hopped along for exercise. How far to that perch?

Leant this way and that way, with an alarming lurch.

Wings were flapping wildly.  She eyed up the camera ledge

Not quite ready yet awhile to take off, leave and fledge.

 

First tasting of fresh air for her and a view of stars and moon

I’m sure that she’ll be sensible and not try to go too soon.

All the MOD’s are watching, excited with a lump in their throat

‘Will she manage?’  ‘Please don’t fall.’  ‘Shouldn’t she wear a coat?’

 

Back inside for safety’s sake – the first adventure’s over

For one brave girl who wants to be a pioneering rover.

Breathe again you Mod’s out there, she’s perfectly safe and sound

Just witness this wonderful miracle in the midst of nature’s round.

 

Written on the occasion of Ashley's first step out of the box 28/9/10

Copyright © Barbara Baggs  

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