A Cat-Proof Fence

Cherry

By marandina

Fri, 19 Jun 2026
  • 607 reads
16 comments
 

A Cat-Proof Fence

Clouds drifting, Atlantic squalls,

each one a metaphor of sorts,

daydreams dissipate like

rain falling on warm sands.

 

There’s a liminal border

surrounding this land,

palisades and stone walls

bound by a cat-proof fence.

 

A silent sycamore stands

shedding its sycamore seeds,

in its arms a crows' nest,

unseen hatchlings murmur.

 

In a nearby hinterland,

woodpeckers cling to palms,

a parent with its offspring,

maternal avian bond.

 

Patrolling the outer rim,

felines hunt with stealth,

orbiting this urban savanna,

a microcosm, a circle of life.

 

*Pic is my own. Mummy and baby woodpecker in a neighbour’s palm tree.

Certificate U
Poem
Miscellaneous Poems
Nature

Comments

Submitted by insertponceyfre... on

What a wonderful pic and how lucky you are to have woodpeckers living next door! A beautiful word picture - thank you

 

Submitted by marandina on

Ah thanks for reading, insert. And the cherries.

Yes, there are so many different species of birds here and so many hatchlings of late. The only downside is some are predatory. In particular, a sparrowhawk that wreaks carnage occasionally. There is a red and a green woodpecker that inhabit the locale and I was overjoyed to see a baby about the other day. 

Visits to my garden are limited since the cat-proofing was finished last year. With four cats, birds landing in the backgarden have to be monitored to make sure they don't get caught! 

 

Submitted by Makis on

 Very nicely done marandina, a gentle picture of suburban nature on our doorsteps. 

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading it, Makis.

I do love suburban nature on the doorstep.

It's what life's all about these days. 

 

Submitted by celticman on

crow's nest (singular)? A cat-proof fence is perfect for so much of life lived within and without. 

 

Submitted by marandina on

Cheers, CM. You made me look it up. A crow's nest is the thingy at the top of a ship's mast. I went with crows' nest as it belongs to crows/birds. It seems crows' nest is correct in this instance.  

[Good luck to the Scots tonight v Morocco. You'll need it!]

 

Submitted by celticman on

aye, I expect Morroco to be too much for us. But sometimes we're better against better teams.

Crow's or crows'? My reading of this is crow singular. But if you mean crows, plural, or birds in general, pluaral, then crows'. 

 

Submitted by GlosKat on

You have palm trees in Somerset ??

 

Submitted by marandina on

We do, GlosKat. I have one in my front garden. 

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

An interesting picture of a garden island to enjoy and wattch. is the fence to keep other cats out, or yours in? Rhiannon

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading, Rhiannon.

Years ago, one of our cats was run over not far from home.

From then on, we've always had cat-proof fencing to keep the cats from roaming the streets. It does mean keeping other cats out as well, of course. 

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

Woodpeckers! How exciting :0) Is your palm tree cordyline Australis like here?
I should think birds must see your garden as a Bermuda Triangle :0) How is your cherry tree doing?

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading, Di. I'll have to check re the type of palm tree. It does look like a cordyline Australis but I'm not sure.

We do get birds in the garden but it's always a tad tense when the cats are roaming about. I'm not sure I would want to see our mogs take on a seagull, mind. 

We left our beautiful cherry tree behind when we moved :o(

There is one here but it's tiny in comparison. It's not been doing so well as there's black fly about. It's been potted this week to help it along with a view to replanting next year.

Hoping all is well in the Far North.There's heat alerts here for early next week. Mid 30C!

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

30C!!! Gosh, sounds like you'll be growing oranges and lemons soon :0)

 

Submitted by hilary west on

Hi,

'Daydreams dissipate like rain falling on warm sands'  heavenly. Enjoyed your poem and glad you're keeping pussy safe !!!

hilary    smiley

 

Submitted by marandina on

Oh thanks for reading it, Hilary.

Glad you liked this one :)