The Illustrated Tigress of Raynes Park    

 

                    

 

~ Beating the Bounds ~

 

As apprentice I had a wise master on the farm,

Beating bounds of our land every week rain and shine,

Walking whispering to me, of wild things all about,

Checking ancient hedges, holding flowers and beetles,

Of cattle, sheep and pigs, he spoke wisely too,

He showed me how to toil and nurture soil,

How weather and seasons are in the ground,

Growing, harvesting and storing cereal grain,

He taught me patience  and respect for land,

And the many secret rustic rites and rituals,

When we got back, it was time for our tea,

Discussing what we’ve seen, and the work to be done,

Wisdom lessons words would wait, another week,

And then may be time, to see the wild Heron’s return.