There were two of them, taking turns going up the tree and drumming their
beaks on the bark. We were attracted by the movement at the bottom of the
garden and when we saw the Woodpeckers, it was like winning the Lottery! Such
beauty and such perfection was a gift we won’t forget. They came for a couple of
weeks and we watched and waited for them but then a couple of days they didn’t
come and we knew these magical visitations were over. We very much hope they
will come back.
I was always used to being surrounded by birds, all kinds of birds, and took them
for granted. But as the years moved on and I saw our bunch of sparrows in the
garden thin out and as visits by other birds grew less and worries over the welfare
of all birds everywhere, grew, it became clear there was a lot wrong for them. There
are efforts being made to help all birds now and we can only hope they are effective
and that our fields and gardens, woods and hedgerows and the world
itself is once again flooded with these beautiful visitors.
WOODPECKERS
The woodpeckers were a surprise,
A bonus.
As if nature’s good will
Had finally caught up
With us.
A small beauty
Filling the world.
©2024 Gwen Grant
Poems by Gwen Grant 
