Stopped to Take a Breath of Fresh Air

Stopped to take a breath of fresh air

Stopped to take a breath of fresh air
In the countryside so bright and fair
Sitting in the virgin grass
And gazing lazily as others pass
Amid the dappled green on green
Of trees on trees going to black to places unseen
Ferns like stacked plates
And nettles pointed sharp as stakes

With Cow Parsley pouring cream along the verge
Disappearing into the distance until they merge
With giant daisy's white as snow
Planted for pleasure about a month ago
A stunning display to catch a speeding eye
That miss all as they pass by
Focused in stead on the long road
And trying to avoid squashing the hedgehog and the toad

Even the sharp wire of cow fencing
Is softened by convolvulus entwining
And trumpeting white a fanfare of flower
Catching the breeze of motor power
Their silent call for attention is unheard
Except by the butterfly that moves as a heard
From wild buddleia so profuse
To it's own nectar, which doth seduce

Weight upon my elbows and head lying back
Smelling cut verge along this quiet track
Mixing with heavy smell of silage cut
And hearing the sound of a distant gate shut
Closing eyes and focusing upon
The aroma and sounds soon gone
When another car comes along racing through my idle
And reminding me I'm desperate for piddle.

Leslie Jones
June 99