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In a box laid with straw Clara swayed this way and that feeling blessed at her good luck
Clattering along the bumpy country lanes in the back of the farmers old truck
She was on her way to Buttercup Farm free at last from the noisy battery pens
Fields of lush green to roam free there is no nicer place to live if you are a hen
As the days passed, she was welcomed into the coop although Clara felt a bit shy
The country was very quiet and she struggled to sleep no matter how hard she tried
After many restless nights looking at the moon Clara’s problem became clear
Poor Clara hadn’t laid a single egg and her heart became gripped in fear
The farmer had taken notice and each day shook his head at her in dismay
The other girls awkwardly looked at each other a bit unsure what to say
Each morning she was so exhausted and no egg would come out
The other girls clucked and laid wondering what the fuss was all about
Clara was so worried she rolled the other eggs into a bush hoping that nobody saw
She found an old straw hat and hid some eggs under there by the barn door
She didn’t want to get the other girls in trouble but what else could she do?
If she was the only one not laying the farmer might end up putting her in a stew
Then a terrible storm blew in hammering rain and lightning flashing angrily across the sky
Thunder boomed so loudly the chickens started to panic thinking they would surely die
Suddenly a loud crack brought a tree crashing down into the coop blocking the door
Chickens flew everywhere covered in mud unable to see panicking them even more
Instinctively Clara pecked at the wire creating a hole and calmed all the hens down
This way! she cried herding them all together and one by one guiding them around
She led them safely to the barn where they huddled in the straw pile shaken from their ordeal
Thanking her they stuck together through the night with love and warmth Clara could truly feel
Exhausted and content she finally drifted off to sleep nodding her little head
As rays of sunlight woke her, she looked down in surprise at a perfect brown speckled egg
She finally had laid her treasure, such a beautiful sight the very thing for which she had longed
All she needed was a storm, a good night’s sleep and a feeling that she belonged.

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

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Brown Hare was out searching for some tasty winter grass, as is snowed, overhead hundreds of birds fluttered past
He watched them with joy from the field where he sat, then spotted a distressed bird darting this way and that
My Dear little bird please tell me what is the matter? “I cant find a coat!” He cried through his chit and his chatter
For it is time to flock to the thrush family ball, where all Robins and Blackbirds and Nightingales call
They all have smart red coats but I cannot find mine, so upset was the bird in his eyes bright tears shined
With a smile Hare said gently it’s because you are young, once you are bigger you will grow the finest red one!
For you my dear friend are a Robin don’t you see? A sure sign of winter like the snow of the trees
You will drop your first feathers and this I can vow, then grow a splendid red chest of which to be proud!
With relief Robin knew he really did belong , and flew off to his family with his heart full of song

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

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What a beautiful girl with eyes golden brown
My ears shot up and she shyly looked down
I bounded over and kissed her quickly
She laughed and cried “your whiskers are tickly”!

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

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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.

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Gazing into the cosmos, oh what wonders lay out there
A million glowing embers twinkle back as I stare
I wish I may, I wish I might, see that special star
Shooting through the night from a galaxy way off far
I close my eyes and hold you tight whilst making us a wish
A dream for peace on earth and eternal spiritual bliss
Shooting stars and moonbeams make my spirits soar
Filling my heart with hope and opening a new door
For only in the darkest of skies does a star truly shine
Beating hearts below, thump thump, yours in time with mine.

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

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I walk through the meadow with joy in my heart
Baby blue skies above blowing the clouds apart
New life and promise emerging from every new thing
The call of the curlew heralding the arrival of spring
Birds bustle in and out of hedges building their nests
Bluebells burst through in a carpet of blue mist
Lambs and ducklings with speckled blue eggs
Tulips and daffodils with trumpeting heads
Buzzing of bees circling on invisible threads
Blue tits and swallows busy making their beds
Butterflies gently waltzing in the new spring air
A spider gracefully spinning her web as I stare
Bright golden dandelion heads following the sun
Trickling riverbeds now free to flow and run
Fluffy ears of foxgloves and lady’s mantle emerge
Cheerful cherry blossom in delicate petals unfurl
Fields of yellow lesser calendines begin to shine
The glorious splendour of the british countryside
And sitting right there in a patch of fresh blooms
Is the elusive little hare, just enjoying their perfume

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

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If you stand very still deep in a forest under the trees
You can feel her presence, there is an energy in the air
She is the Goddess, the ancient spirit of the forest
She protects and nurtures all who inhabit there

She is the earth beneath your feet, the wind in the trees
The wheel of life keeping balance through the turning seasons
In Autumn she changes the colours and blows the leaves
From sparkling gold to rusty browns and shiny coppers

She is the cool breath of Winter as the animals gently sleep
Protecting the land with snow to allow the ground time to rest
Awakening the fragrant earth in Spring as buds burst into life
Bluebells colour the paths and birds emerge from their nests

She is the warmth of glowing Summer sunshine on flowers
The invisible energy in the beat of dragonfly wings
She is the soft rainfall and rainbows full of lazy long hours
Mother Nature, divinity, magic, she is the balance of all things

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Think of a country garden and one thing springs to my mind
A sweetly singing little bird of a very special kind
The gardener’s friend with a scarlet crimson breast
Darting from wheelbarrow to spade with very little rest

My friendly loveable robin is always welcome to me
She swoops in to get some worms; she watches me you see
Flitting and hopping from garden cane to flower pot
Patiently waiting for me to dig over the vegetable plot

In spring she nests in unusual places, an old hat or boot will do
I live in harmony with this little bird her trust in me which grew
So dear, as she reminds me of what my mother used to say
That when missing loved ones are near a robin will appear

She remains a loyal visitor as the summer turns to fall
When I feed my little Rosie, I feed a piece of my soul
As the garden turns to white and the leaves drop away
She provides a welcome flash of colour on a crisp winter’s day

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

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If you travel to the Yorkshire Dales you will be met with outstanding scenery,
Towering castles amidst valleys and breathtakingly peaceful fields of greenery
On such a field stands Honey Dip Farm built with strong Yorkshire bricks
Surrounded by billowing wild flower meadows and a family of geese and chicks

An old apple tree provides welcome shade at the corner of the wheat field
For the family of gentle donkeys that the farmer rescued and healed
Poppy’s young foal Pip is a wild spirit bounding around without a care
Each afternoon they go to a wall where local children visit them there

For Pip loves to eat sweet apples and is well known for her hilarious trick
Aiming straight at the children’s faces she suddenly spits out all the pips!
Squeals of delight and laughter from the children bring the donkeys so much pleasure
Loving all the fuss and ear rubs that follow, the donkeys are actually very clever

So, if you are planning a visit be sure to pack plenty of apples and pears
For donkeys do love a sweet treat to munch and would rather not share
As you walk up to the edge of the wildflower wall you can be sure
You will always be welcomed with a very happy pair of hee haws!

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

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