Feeling warm and comfortable in our favourite Dumfries & Galloway lodge, we looked out on to the wintry landscape that surrounded us. It was mid-morning and the temperature was slowly rising as weak sunshine was breaking through grey cloud. Earlier, at -7 degrees, we decided to stay put and have a restful day. Tomorrow’s weather sounded less severe. I had to venture outside. My birdfeeders needed filling and a breath of fresh air would be welcome, even icy air. Wrapped up, wellington boots on and bird seed to hand, I stepped outside, calling back to say that the veranda was slippy. Not that my husband was coming outside with me, too risky. Ice on the steps cracked beneath my feet. It was clear and shiny where water had dripped from the edge of the roof. I was extra careful. The car was iced over, sheltered under trees and away from any sunlight. A couple of steps and I was on the grass, feeling safe with a crisp crunch of frost beneath my feet. The bird feeders were dotted about, some on a tree, others half hidden in a well-established rhododendron. For reasons I couldn’t work out, the birds were ignoring the fat balls in preference for the seed mixture. On previous visits it had often been the other way round. I went to the tree last, minding my gloved fingers over the cracked bit of branch as I reached a little higher to the seed holder. Job done, I wandered along to the gate to see if any horses were in the meadow on the other side. They were further up, towards the hill and just a solitary pheasant nodded along. How beautiful they are, so colourful. Turning back towards the lodge, I walked round to where a narrow stream trickled towards a reed bed and warned the neighbourhood cat to leave ‘my’ birds alone. Nearby, a few robins were squabbling and hopping about, much to my amusement. Disturbed by my presence, they took flight into the pine trees. They made me smile and raised my heavy heart. Following an emergency incident at frozen water in Solihull, some children had fallen through the ice. They were rescued, but three of them later died. So sad. They were probably just playing and didn’t realise what danger they were in. Children. Christmas time. Heartbreaking.
My Haiku,
Children playing out,
Fun in the winter landscape
Until the ice cracked.
Thanks for reading, Pam x
Photo is the view from the lodge.
7 comments:
Picture postcard pretty scenery. What a sad poem.
Beautifully descriptive writing. So sad about those little boys, all died in the end.
Reading your description of cosy life inside your lodge reminded me of lines from John Clare's 'Snowstorm' poem: "...the snow volley keeps/ Incessant batter at the window pane,/ Making our comfort feel as sweet again;" and as others have commented, it is all beautifully described.
Lovely writing. They were harsh days for birds, so they must have appreciated your efforts.
Looks really Christmassy!
I was with your husband. Stay inside. I was fully expecting to read that you had slipped over towards the end of your walk. But glad that you didn't.
So pleased to get drenched this week. Anything but ice.
Excellent haiku.
A lovely blog and a beautiful photograph. It was so sad what happened to those little boys.
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