SPRINGTIME IN DEVON

Last Sunday was a perfect day

As up the cliffs I wound my way

Alas you were not with me there

To join in the joy I wished to share

So I have here described for you to see

A fraction of that day with me

The gentle sun in clear blue skies

Awoke the dormant butterflies

Who flittered off on skyward course

While on yellow tips of scented gorse

Ladybirds in bright-red clusters lay

Unfolding their wings to fly away

Like snow the hedges were white with May

And on warm banks the lizards lay

Then scurried off at my intrusion

Amongst spring flowers of breathtaking profusion

Celandines, daffodils, primroses and periwinkle

Shy violets peep and speedwell carpets twinkle

Now near the top at the cliffs edge

I sit on a rabbit-cropped grassy ledge

And far below the sea is glassy clear

I watch a shoal of fish appear

With silver glints they idly mingle

The lapping waves drag upon the shingle

The sudden thrill as a Cuckoo calls

A twittering Skylark suddenly falls

And up so high with mewing cry

Circling specks of Buzzards fly

I watch the pairs of Seagulls drifting home

And with all this beauty I was so alone