April 2017

 April 2017

April showers have deserted

Us whilst cold northern winds

Blast our hill top abode.

Shattered flowers cower

From the onslaught of hail and sleet.

Cherry blossom deserts rocked trees

As coarse winds rip their way

Through bare branches chilling

Boughs and fingers alike.

Autumn and winter in one day.

The promise of warm days to come

Is transitory and

An illusion. The plants

Struggle, with few fleeting

Moments to bask in the sun’s warmth.

Africa’s outcasts, our migrant

Birds find life a hardship

As insects cower and

Hide in their safe winters

Closed and closeted crevices.

We go undecided as to

Suitable apparel.

Umbrella free we wrap

Ourselves in hat and scarf

Guarded ‘gainst April’s wintry blast.

Dave Urmston c 2017

Spring Flowers

Spring Flowers

Wandering the countryside

Heart and eyes open wide.

Carefree with dog in tow

The floral carpet below

Draws my attention.

To see only is not to mention

The names which always

Enchant the byways

Of my mind.

Heartsease and viola vie

With stitchwort and cowslip

For ancient meaning.

The time piece dandelion

And its cousin coltsfoot.

Carpet of blue bell interspersed

With wood anemone.

The diffident spotted orchid,

Primrose and the blousy May blossom.

Names conjuring images

That can brighten a dark

Winter’s eve.

Dave Urmston c 2017

My Ukulele Song

My Ukulele Song

I play my ukulele song

Join me and play along

Play with joy, play for fun

Play with a smile, bring some sun

Sing as you go, sing out loud

Play with gusto don’t be cowed.

Singing and playing

Singing and playing

Play my ukulele song

Come and join and play along.

I play my ukulele song

Come with me and play along

We’ll play together, have some fun

Down the street and in the sun

On the green, join the crowd,

Singing out loud and proud.

Singing and playing

Singing and playing

Play my ukulele song

Come and join and play along.

We’ll play our favourite song

Together we’ll belong.

Our Ukes on The Hill

Will be playing still,

So join our growing band

Come and lend a hand.

Singing and playing

Singing and playing

Play my ukulele song

Come and join and play along.

Dave Urmston c 2017

Bluebell Wood

Bluebell Wood

On a wet morning

I saunter through the

Wood. Hood down, I glance

Up to see a low

Lying soft blue mist. 

Dave Urmston c 2017

The Mill House

The Mill House

Churring wrens flit

Amongst honeysuckles,

Cherry and rowan berry.

Wailing buzzards and

Crouching rabbits.

The Mill House sits solid

And low in the valley.

Grey granite and grits,

Reed thatched roofing,

Cart house and wood store.

Lineal beds with beets,

Beans and broccoli,

Creosoted shed, greenhouse.

Themed rooms and art works,

Rugged floors and wood burners,

Solid tables and covered settees.

Breton furniture and so solid beams.

Piped music and Sky Box.

How the artisan’s house

Has changed to become

The gentrified abode

And rural retreat,

If not, country seat. 

Dave Urmston c 2009

Climate Change

Climate Change

The times they are a changing:

Butterflies are flying

Birds are nesting

Bees are buzzing

Buds are breaking

Rabbits are breeding

Flowers are opening

Tadpoles appearing

Yet it is only March.

Dave Urmston c 2017