At the edge of a Suffolk village is a woodland we call home
Through it a winding babbling stream tumbles and roams
Under the cover of ancient oak trees many hares play and run
Our long velvet ears flapping on our way for a day full of fun
The wild flower meadow is sweet with fragrance blowing gently on the breeze
We chase each other in the long grass under the buzzing of the bees
We stop and clean our whiskers and paws, watching for passers by
A field mouse gave us a wink today as he chased a butterfly
As the sun dips low we snuggle together to watch the stars above
For we are a family, we are blessed and we are LOVE.

All artwork and poems copyright protected by the Artist. Sarah Reilly, Love Country by Sarah Reilly. All rights reserved.

The post Our Family Magnet appeared first on Love Country by Sarah Reilly.

On a rolling hill of wild poppies stands Primrose Farm and Dairy Store
Creamy walls and a thatched roof with roses that clamber up the front door
To one side of the meadow grows a twisting old apple tree with blackbird’s nests
An ancient gathering place where traveling wildlife are always a welcome guest
Under its old branches grow daisies, turnips, thistles and dandelion leaves
Attracting a comical pair of well-known residents to graze and to feed
Gertrude and Betsie are the happiest of cows and are always together
After each daily milking they roam free whatever the weather
They lay all afternoon in the daisies talking to the butterflies and ladybirds
Until night creeps in and they go to bed with the rest of the herd
The farmer smiles to himself when he sees them tucked up in their bed
A collection of daisy flowers still sitting prettily in their heads.

All artwork and poems copyright protected by the Artist. Sarah Reilly, Love Country by Sarah Reilly. All rights reserved.

The post Daisy Moos Magnet appeared first on Love Country by Sarah Reilly.

We all need a hug from time to time
And I know where I prefer to go to get mine
For it is known that the best of the cuddling is found
By our favourite woodland fellow snuffling along the ground
Little hedgehogs are big hearted and are always prepared
To give you a gentle squeeze or giant hug of a bear
Don’t be fooled by the prickles they never would harm
Spreading love and good luck and pure heggie charm

All artwork and poems copyright protected by the Artist. Sarah Reilly, Love Country by Sarah Reilly. All rights reserved.

The post Heggie Hugs Magnet appeared first on Love Country by Sarah Reilly.

One blustering winters night, when the trees folded over in a stormy gale
A young hare struggling to make her way, tripped on a tree root and fell forwards into a hole
Down and down she tumbled, into a dusty place of lost and ancient things
She landed with a bump on a large old book covered in moss and twine
Ever so slowly she opened the heavy cover and the pages began to flutter

Millions of tiny glowing stars burst from the book throwing back her long velvet ears
As she blinked her eyes against the brightest of golden lights spinning all around her
She could just make out the shape of a huge Snowbear walking towards her through the swirling light
He appeared like a glittering wish, a sweet dream half remembered
Sparkling frosted light and snowflakes fluttered behind him as he approached

His fur was the crispest white of snowy mountains and streaks of gold shimmed from within his skin
He looked at her with kind chestnut eyes that twinkled with honey gold flecks
“I am the guardian of the book” he softly spoke, “what do you seek little one”?
Shyly she lowered her eyes and shuffled her feet, “I wish for a friend” she whispered

His face broke into a glittering smile, “I have such wonderous sights to show you”
She took his paw which was wonderfully warm and gentle, and they flew into the book
Snowflakes and golden letters spun wildly past them as they tumbled through the pages
Out they burst under a dark velvet starry sky, floating down landing with a soft crunch on the snow
Little Hare gasped as she looked around at the beautiful world she found herself in

There were snow covered mountains and lakes, forests and ice castles in the distance
“Shall we take a ride”? asked Snowbear, scooping her up onto his glittering furry back
“Woohoo!” she cried as he took off from the ground and flew high, he actually flew!
They soared over the gleaming frozen lake and waved at penguins and sealions
As they swished through the tree tops she reached out and felt the tickle of the pine needles on her paw
She felt such warmth in her heart, she was on an adventure and she had her very own Snowbear! x

All artwork and poems copyright protected by the Artist. Sarah Reilly, Love Country by Sarah Reilly. All rights reserved.

The post Snow Bear and the Magic Book Magnet appeared first on Love Country by Sarah Reilly.

Today I quietly crept down to the riverbank on the grassy fen
A tangle of twisted tree branches hides the entrance to a den
Cool fresh water flows through the silky green rushes and weeds
It is here I found the happiest of homes nestled behind the reeds
For it is filled with a family of river otters about to emerge
I sit perfectly still behind a bush on the verge

Here they come! Scampering down the sandy bank excitedly
Mum, with pup in mouth approaches the water very carefully
In she swims for pups first lesson on how to use his webbed feet
Diving under and up again the love and care she shows is so sweet
Such an affectionate group of otters they just want to have fun
Splashing each other with squeals of delight in the golden summer sun

I laugh as they romp on the land, rolling around and chasing each other playfully
then quickly jump back into the river steering with silky long tails so gracefully
Their love is clear from the sense of fun and affection they openly display
Cuddling and grooming each other they cling together throughout the day
Such a wonderful afternoon I had watching them all so happily
For to be an otter means it is utterly otterly all about family.

All artwork and poems copyright protected by the Artist. Sarah Reilly, Love Country by Sarah Reilly. All rights reserved.

The post Utterly Otterly Magnet appeared first on Love Country by Sarah Reilly.

Can you remember meeting your first Bumblebee?
I was playing hide and seek, balancing up a tree
Hands clamped over my mouth trying not to make a sound
When suddenly there was a gentle humming and buzzing all around

I let out a shriek as something huge flew in my face
I slipped and fell in the dirt tearing my dress of lace
What was that strange and rather scary thing?
I had to find out before the dinner bell would ring

It didn’t take me long before I heard a gentle hum
There on a thistle he hovered with a gorgeous fluffy bum
Such dainty silky wings just about holding him steady
A fluffy fuzz of friendliness dangling and leggy

I laughed as he squeezed into the throat of a foxglove
Greedy for the taste of sweet golden nectar waiting above
I now plant my own garden full of all their favourite flowers
I believe they sprinkle good wishes with each passing hour

All artwork and poems copyright protected by the Artist. Sarah Reilly, Love Country by Sarah Reilly. All rights reserved.

The post Thistle & Bee Magnet appeared first on Love Country by Sarah Reilly.

Deep in the heart of the Cotswolds stands a thatched cottage on Daisy Dale Farm
In summer the pink roses cover the entrance greeting visitors with undeniable charm
They come for the fresh speckled golden eggs that Mrs Potts sells from the garden gate
Her juicy pork pies and pear and ginger crumble are famous at the local country fete
Married after the war, a simple farm life was what they both had in their hearts
Life was hard back then but with love and kindness they got through a difficult start
Even though farming life is hard, Farmer Potts is more laidback than you might think
For his grandfather taught him the secret, he knows happy cows produce the best milk
So, with this knowledge in mind, Daisy Dale was always destined to be filled with milking cows
So, in the first light of dawn the farmer heads to the barn fulfilling his early morning vow
“Good Morning ladies!” He calls with joy in his heart as many black and white heads come into view
“Moo!” They greet him happily, jostling themselves into position they know just what to do
As the ladies line up, he attaches the milkers letting them know its time to let the milk flow
Whistling as he works, calling the cows in turn as they happily run in and clattering out, they go
Filling the jars with their delicious warm milk, some of which goes to their calf’s eager young bellies
After hours of work the farmer heads off for his breakfast grateful to remove his wellies
The cows moo contentedly as they head out to the pastures to enjoy a good natter and a graze
Plenty of time to eat before they are milked again and then enjoy the suns afternoon haze
Slowly another day passes and the farmer heads indoors as stars begin to twinkle overhead
Their busy farming life fills them with contentment as the Potts drift off silently in their cosy bed
Outside the graceful resident Barn Owl hoots as he sits in the rafters of the old dairy barn
Watching over the lovely ladies as they settle down for another peaceful night on Daisy Dale Farm

All artwork and poems copyright protected by the Artist. Sarah Reilly, Love Country by Sarah Reilly. All rights reserved.

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As night fell the woodland was bathed in shimmering silver moonlight
A young pheasant suddenly croaked out a strangled noise in fright
He had been creeping timidly through undergrowth hardly daring to breath
As a strange haunting sound terrified him echoing through the ancient trees

Scared of the dark he wasn’t very brave of that there was no doubt
In fact, everything seemed to make him jump, his eyes wildly darting about
Screeeech! There it was again like a wailing scream, what creature could this be?
He froze and closed his beady eyes tight shut, maybe it was best not to see

Trembling he felt a gust of wind so strong it almost brought him to his knees
He opened his eyes and there was a giant white owl with eyes black as inky sea
Instead of fleeing the young pheasant found himself oddly feeling still
Those eyes looked deep into him and he felt only their kind goodwill

A friendship was struck between them, a silent gentleman’s pact
The wise owl would bestow on the young pheasant the courage that he lacked
The pheasant would watch over the owl in the day so that he could slumber without fear
And so, no harm came to either of them and their friendship deepened year after year.

All artwork and poems copyright protected by the Artist. Sarah Reilly, Love Country by Sarah Reilly. All rights reserved.

The post The Gentle Pheasant Magnet appeared first on Love Country by Sarah Reilly.

Sunrise lights the lake ablaze with fiery bright birds
Splashing around in their funny courtship dance
When you are blessed with the colour of neon pink
Its best not to take things too seriously really
So, heads up ladies and ruffle that tutu proudly
For we are the totally fabulous flamingoes
And no-one does flamboyance quite like we do
So, smile, shine and sparkle in every way
And have yourself a fabulous flamingo day!!

All artwork and poems copyright protected by the Artist. Sarah Reilly, Love Country by Sarah Reilly. All rights reserved.

The post Pretty in Pink Magnet appeared first on Love Country by Sarah Reilly.

There is little to rival the wilds of the welsh mountain range they say
From its craggy heights down through the softer peaks and winding pathways
Way up in the harsh highest peaks the hardy sheep huddle and keep warm
Thunder rumbles through the darkening sky, here comes a heavy rainstorm

“Come on” yells the shepherd gathering his herd down towards the tracks
Clattering of hooves on the stones as they run ahead avoiding all the cracks
As they are halfway down a thick silvery fog hangs heavily in the air
Owain struggles to see his friend and worry soon turns to fear, as she’s not there

Clambering back up the tracks Owain can’t see and soon finds himself all alone
Pointing his ears forwards he bleats for Gwen, where up here would she roam?
As an intelligent breed with sensitive ears, he suddenly hears a faint sound
Pressing ahead he finds her nearby, with her foot stuck in a rocky mound

Through the hammering rain he nudges her foot free with tenderness and care
Rubbing each other’s noses in relief they are a loyal and affectionate pair
Happily sheltering under an oak tree the wise branches protecting overhead
This is their way of life; they are proud welsh mountain sheep born and bred.

All artwork and poems copyright protected by the Artist. Sarah Reilly, Love Country by Sarah Reilly. All rights reserved.

The post Owain and Gwen Magnet appeared first on Love Country by Sarah Reilly.