Word-Bird presents...
Picnic in Autumn
by Fliss
Upon the banks of Lower Lake,
let’s sit and have a treat for tea,
beside the yellow willow brake.
What shall we eat? A slice of cake?
A flapjack? Scone? Perhaps all three,
upon the banks of Lower Lake.
“Quack-quack!” Look, it’s a mallard drake!
He’s waddling by the chestnut tree
beside the yellow willow brake.
A squirrel, see! She’s wide awake,
her brown eyes blinking beadily
upon the banks of Lower Lake.
The water’s rippling – like a snake! –
as swans slide in and snort with glee
beside the yellow willow brake.
They’re washing... now they rise and shake!
A happy wave for you and me,
upon the banks of Lower Lake
beside the yellow willow brake.
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Published in The Dirigible Balloon, October 2022
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W.-B.’s notes: “This is a Word-Bird poem.”
Fliss
Indeed it is, W.-B., by which we mean a poem for children! Our thanks to Jonathan Humble for publishing the poem four years ago. A simple villanelle, it’s inspired by many trips to our local park, Pittville, since 2012. We and our companions don’t usually eat so much, though! I think the photo was taken about a decade ago, and it shows George Swan and two of that year’s cygnets on the banks of the said Lower Lake. It was kind of them to pose so well!
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Bio: Two collections of poems previously published in journals including The HyperTexts, Snakeskin, The Ekphrastic Review, Lighten Up Online, The Dirigible Balloon, Pulsebeat Poetry Journal, Amethyst Review; also published in Light and New Verse Review. The second collection is ex-Kelsay Books (contract terminated due to worsening illness). Third collection pending, available for free online.
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Our thanks to all our contributors this month, as well as all our readers naturally. We are very grateful for the ongoing support and encouragement! All being well, we’ll be back on 1st December, for our final issue of the year. Until then, enjoy the Autumn, or Fall!
Best wishes,
Fliss and the tiny team 🎶
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