The Editor,
Birds Magazine,
RSPB, The Lodge,
Sandy,
Beds..
1st November, 1989.
Sir,
Inspired somewhat by the recent selection of poetry from the pen of the Poet Laureate, Mr Ted Hughes, on the subject of birds, which you published in the Summer 1989 edition of your magazine, I have composed my own small selection of poems which you may wish to consider for publication, in whole or in part.
Keep up the good work.
Yours,
encl. Selection of poetry
My favourite bird's the gannet:
It's the best bird on the planet.
It's better than knots
And guillemots
And beats razorbills by lots and lots.
Yes, my favourite bird's the gannet:
It just can't be beaten, can it?
It hatches on ledges,
Where it stays till it fledges
And grows a physique
With a fabulous beak.
Then it takes to the air
And soars way up there,
Till it reaches a summit,
Whence it dives in a plummet
And down with a S W I S H !
It catches a fish.
Yes, my favourite bird's the gannet
(Apart from my girlfriend, Janet!).
I saw a reed bunting
While I was out punting.
I think it was hunting
For reed seeds or someting.
The puffin or 'sea parrot'
Is actually an auk.
You can tell it ain't a parrot;
Have you ever heard one talk?
I noticed a brambling
While I was out rambling.
It was eating beech mast
As a winter repast.
One chough
Just isn't enough,
But more than one gull
Is exceedingly dull.
As I wandered through our park,
I chanced upon a lone skylark.
It flew straight up into the sky
(Though I have no notion why),
And burst into a sombre song,
Which seemed to go on far too long.
© J. Date, 1989.