Day 15: Wild poem and daisy rescue!
![]()
![]()
From afar I have loved you.
Seen you grow from youth to full splendour of maturity
A place in my heart is yours and has always been.
You and your ancestors and relatives near and far,
Have long been held in my giddy thrall.
And I've come close to conversation
Asking to take you from your home to be my companions
Oh eyes of perfect gold surrounded by white lace lashes,
Slender long legs hold you up to admiration and the glory of summer.
You and all your court, swaying in the riotous dance of these halcyon seasons.
And yet, today, as I departed my carriage, what carnage awaited me?
For you have been ruthlessly cut in your prime
Severed from your home before time.
I stood a while in silent grief, an elegy of unsaid words.
Eyes downcast in grief.
Their your bodies lay, in graves of shorn green.
I gathered you in my arms like a mother her children
And collected one by one, those longed for companions.
And I would make thee into chains, woven into my hair,
But your delicate, broken beauty, permits me not.
Carried home, despite taciturn ridicule in the eyes of bystanders
I care not for these non-understanding hearts.
For I will restore thee to glory
In a monument of restoration.
But that I would replenish thee with waters refreshing.
And here you now are, sitting with me.
And when your glory fades for the last
I will carry thee in my dreams and lay thee in the garden.
For in your death, future beauty may shine.
And I may enjoy your memory in future years.
This is an ode to the bank of ox-eye daisies I passed at the station daily which I saw all broken and discarded after being mowed at the weekend. I carried those I could gather home and placed them in a jug. Their beauty is transient but perhaps they will leave a golden legacy for future years. I had contemplated making a daisy chain from these for days for 30 days wild but it seemed sad to pick them. Alas, but that I had.
![]()
![]()
As I left the station, blooms in hand,I heard a songstress attaining new heights of vocal beauty. A new friend for me. I heard and saw the Song thrush.
![]()
What a gorgeous sound he did make. I was very impressed!
Tuesday: Exploring the park woodland and reading by the lake
![]()
As I left school, I noticed a few flowers blooming which I decided to take a closer look at. Here were some tiny insects on the yellow flowers. I thought they were marsh-lillies but apparently not. I used to use these when we learnt the structure of a flower in year 5 as they have a really clear structure with stamens, anther, sepals, petals etc.
As I reached home, I kept a look out for some wildlife and was rewarded with a very close encounter with a squirrel. He stood looking at me until I got the camera out and then he made a dash for it- I have numerous blurred squirrel photos.
As I walked along, I noticed a new fenced off section of the park where a blackbird was digging with a beak full of worms.
![]()
When I reached the park, I decided to go and explore the small woodland that is beyond the park. I glanced in there a while back but I've never been in. They're made a proper path since that time which took me about 5 minutes to get round.
I saw this cool eye-shape on the tree and I was struck by the sight of the ivy so poetically placed on this tree towering towards eternity.
The woodland is only small so I reached the path without seeing any sign of extra-curricular wildlife except for hearing the rustle of blackbirds and the prickly smell of fox poo.
![]()
I walked round the lake and then decided to sit my Georgette Heyer book, eat raisins and read by a tree with a beautiful view of the lake. It was utterly idyllic. As I sat there,I discovered a visitor on my cardigan. I'm so much more conscious of little bugs since doing 30 days wild- I carefully let him onto a leaf and lowered him into the grass.
5 minutes later, I noticed this caterpillar next to me.
Oh, and I had decided to wear my bird collar clips today as a nod to 30 days wild.
Eventually it was time to go home.
CBC was rather stressed so I bought a portion of chips and decided to have a mini-picnic with himin the garden- rattan mat, cups of tea, vase of ox-eye Daisies from yesterday's random act of wildness and a very nice relax for 15 minutes we had in the garden.We lay down and looked at the clouds in the sky.
Wednesday: Tree identification education
Singing assembly again so I decided to introduce the children to four trees- Rowan, Oak, Sycamore and Horse Chestnut. They were enthusiastic as before.
As I walked home towards the park, I decided to explore another path home to see if there was any new wildness. Nothing really new but it was exciting to explore a shady path and find an alternative route home- it's not any quicker I don't think, but it was nice that 30 days prompted me to try it after almost 2 years living in this town.
Thursday: Lake side linger and memory loss!
I went for a longer stroll around the park and sat and enjoyed the lake. I also did something else but on Sunday, I can't remember for the life of me what it was!
Friday: Nul point
Alas, again, on a third Friday, I failed to do any 30 days wild! I had a headache again, was seriously sleep deprived and I just needed to get home and sleep. I didn't even eat dinner!
Saturday: Flower festival visit and Snail examination
![]()
We visited a Flower Festival at a village church in the pouring rain. That was lovely and I will try to share more in another post.
![]()
![]()
When we returned home, I decided to do something a bit weird. I wanted to know why all the snails and slugs come out when it rains! WHY??? I presume it's the reduced friction through having water on the ground makes their movement easier, perhaps it is like children skating on puddles in the winter? Anyway, I spent about half an hour outside my house observing the snails and taking pictures of all them and no, I have no idea why they all come out still! They all seemed to do their own thing although there were some congregations. I saw a slug munching on a leaf
I was struck by how beautiful and intricate snails are when you look close.
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
I headed off deciding to walk round the whole of the reserve along the woodland path. The trust keep the paths beautiful and I made sure I make a donation to the trust when I am there because it is important to keep supporting it for its continued maintenance. Someone had built a wooden den so after spying my first wooden model, I climbed up to it.
![]()
![]()
![]()
There are a few hides where you can sit and look for wildlife. To be honest, I only saw the odd duck, goose and water fowl but what I loved was the serenity of the water lapping against the shore of the reservoir.
![IMG_5193]()
![IMG_5194]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![IMG_5161]()
I saw lots of Elderflower- I'm pretty sure this is Elderflower this time- my Mum used to make me reach up high on country roads as a teenager to pick the cream (not white) coloured flowers for making cordial.
![]()
![IMG_5177]()
![IMG_5179]()
![IMG_5181]()
![IMG_5187]()
![IMG_5188]()
![IMG_5190]()
![IMG_5191]()
![IMG_5206]()
I saw flowers that looked like honeysuckle- are they wild honeysuckle?
![IMG_5243]()
Buttercups a-plenty!
![IMG_5167]()
Finally, CBC arrived back to the car only 5 minutes after I'd arrived back at the centre so we made our way home. I continued the outdoor theme by mowing the lawn, watering the plants and pruning the dog-roses and hacking back the brambles.
A final 30 days wild act:
Can you sign this petition to protect bees from pesticide:
https://speakout.38degrees.org.uk/campaigns/ban-bee-killing-pesticides-for-good-937d4563-7694-41a8-a642-65e6b0e51453
I've enjoyed my week of 30 days wild even if I failed on Friday and can't remember what I did on Thursday! I know I did something, but not sure what! Maybe I made up for it on Sunday with my 2 hour walk!
I'd love to know what you've been doing! Leave a link if you are doing 30 days wild!
xxx
Nature has inspired some of the greatest writers of all time: join them, and have a go at writing a poem or blog about your favourite wild place. These 10 top tips come from Poet Laureate Sir Andrew Motion 1 Let your subject find you 2 Tap into your own feelings 3 Write about subjects that matter to you 4 Celebrate the ordinary 5 Use everything in your toolbox 6 If you get stuck go for a walk 7 Let your work be open to interpretation 8 Read your poetry out loud 9 Find the right time to write 10 Read a lot
From afar I have loved you.
Seen you grow from youth to full splendour of maturity
A place in my heart is yours and has always been.
You and your ancestors and relatives near and far,
Have long been held in my giddy thrall.
And I've come close to conversation
Asking to take you from your home to be my companions
Oh eyes of perfect gold surrounded by white lace lashes,
Slender long legs hold you up to admiration and the glory of summer.
You and all your court, swaying in the riotous dance of these halcyon seasons.
And yet, today, as I departed my carriage, what carnage awaited me?
For you have been ruthlessly cut in your prime
Severed from your home before time.
I stood a while in silent grief, an elegy of unsaid words.
Eyes downcast in grief.
Their your bodies lay, in graves of shorn green.
I gathered you in my arms like a mother her children
And collected one by one, those longed for companions.
And I would make thee into chains, woven into my hair,
But your delicate, broken beauty, permits me not.
Carried home, despite taciturn ridicule in the eyes of bystanders
I care not for these non-understanding hearts.
For I will restore thee to glory
In a monument of restoration.
But that I would replenish thee with waters refreshing.
And here you now are, sitting with me.
And when your glory fades for the last
I will carry thee in my dreams and lay thee in the garden.
For in your death, future beauty may shine.
And I may enjoy your memory in future years.
This is an ode to the bank of ox-eye daisies I passed at the station daily which I saw all broken and discarded after being mowed at the weekend. I carried those I could gather home and placed them in a jug. Their beauty is transient but perhaps they will leave a golden legacy for future years. I had contemplated making a daisy chain from these for days for 30 days wild but it seemed sad to pick them. Alas, but that I had.
What a gorgeous sound he did make. I was very impressed!
Tuesday: Exploring the park woodland and reading by the lake
As I left school, I noticed a few flowers blooming which I decided to take a closer look at. Here were some tiny insects on the yellow flowers. I thought they were marsh-lillies but apparently not. I used to use these when we learnt the structure of a flower in year 5 as they have a really clear structure with stamens, anther, sepals, petals etc.
As I reached home, I kept a look out for some wildlife and was rewarded with a very close encounter with a squirrel. He stood looking at me until I got the camera out and then he made a dash for it- I have numerous blurred squirrel photos.
As I walked along, I noticed a new fenced off section of the park where a blackbird was digging with a beak full of worms.
When I reached the park, I decided to go and explore the small woodland that is beyond the park. I glanced in there a while back but I've never been in. They're made a proper path since that time which took me about 5 minutes to get round.
I saw this cool eye-shape on the tree and I was struck by the sight of the ivy so poetically placed on this tree towering towards eternity.
The woodland is only small so I reached the path without seeing any sign of extra-curricular wildlife except for hearing the rustle of blackbirds and the prickly smell of fox poo.
I walked round the lake and then decided to sit my Georgette Heyer book, eat raisins and read by a tree with a beautiful view of the lake. It was utterly idyllic. As I sat there,I discovered a visitor on my cardigan. I'm so much more conscious of little bugs since doing 30 days wild- I carefully let him onto a leaf and lowered him into the grass.
5 minutes later, I noticed this caterpillar next to me.
Oh, and I had decided to wear my bird collar clips today as a nod to 30 days wild.
Eventually it was time to go home.
CBC was rather stressed so I bought a portion of chips and decided to have a mini-picnic with himin the garden- rattan mat, cups of tea, vase of ox-eye Daisies from yesterday's random act of wildness and a very nice relax for 15 minutes we had in the garden.We lay down and looked at the clouds in the sky.
Wednesday: Tree identification education
Singing assembly again so I decided to introduce the children to four trees- Rowan, Oak, Sycamore and Horse Chestnut. They were enthusiastic as before.
As I walked home towards the park, I decided to explore another path home to see if there was any new wildness. Nothing really new but it was exciting to explore a shady path and find an alternative route home- it's not any quicker I don't think, but it was nice that 30 days prompted me to try it after almost 2 years living in this town.
Thursday: Lake side linger and memory loss!
I went for a longer stroll around the park and sat and enjoyed the lake. I also did something else but on Sunday, I can't remember for the life of me what it was!
Friday: Nul point
Alas, again, on a third Friday, I failed to do any 30 days wild! I had a headache again, was seriously sleep deprived and I just needed to get home and sleep. I didn't even eat dinner!
Saturday: Flower festival visit and Snail examination
We visited a Flower Festival at a village church in the pouring rain. That was lovely and I will try to share more in another post.
When we returned home, I decided to do something a bit weird. I wanted to know why all the snails and slugs come out when it rains! WHY??? I presume it's the reduced friction through having water on the ground makes their movement easier, perhaps it is like children skating on puddles in the winter? Anyway, I spent about half an hour outside my house observing the snails and taking pictures of all them and no, I have no idea why they all come out still! They all seemed to do their own thing although there were some congregations. I saw a slug munching on a leaf
I was struck by how beautiful and intricate snails are when you look close.
Sunday: Visiting a Wildlife Trust nature reserve: Hanningfield Reservoir
I knew that I wanted to visit one of the Wildlife Trust’s sites during 30 days wild and finally, managed to pester CBC to drive me to Hanningfield Reservoir and Nature reserve which is part of Essex Wildlife Trust. I managed to persuade him by suggesting he take his bike and go cycling from there whilst I explored the Nature reserve.
When I first arrived, I saw that there was a brass rubbings and Wind in the willows carved wooden trail, perfect for persuading children to keep walking. At the start there is a very sweet garden with some Wind in the Willows models and a little caravan wendy house .
I followed one path and saw these beautiful turquoise dragon flies (?) . The white one really liked me and stuck to my dress!
Continuing on, I sat in another hide and then made my way towards the Fishing Lodge. Some birds were making a terrific racket but I couldn’t see what was going on or who was making the sound from the woodland path. Luckily, there was a handy little off-route path where I made my way to the edge of the reservoir and saw a whole lot of black birds (I thought they were crows but they were not making crow-like sounds) flying off from the trees. It was sublime to be beside the water.
At the fishing lodge, I bought an ice-cream and had a look at the water. Finally, it was time to make my way back through the woodland path. It was much quieter this way, most people coming back along the path they’d come rather than making a circular route.
![IMG_5216]()
I saw flowers that looked like honeysuckle- are they wild honeysuckle?
Buttercups a-plenty!
Finally, CBC arrived back to the car only 5 minutes after I'd arrived back at the centre so we made our way home. I continued the outdoor theme by mowing the lawn, watering the plants and pruning the dog-roses and hacking back the brambles.
A final 30 days wild act:
Can you sign this petition to protect bees from pesticide:
https://speakout.38degrees.org.uk/campaigns/ban-bee-killing-pesticides-for-good-937d4563-7694-41a8-a642-65e6b0e51453
I've enjoyed my week of 30 days wild even if I failed on Friday and can't remember what I did on Thursday! I know I did something, but not sure what! Maybe I made up for it on Sunday with my 2 hour walk!
I'd love to know what you've been doing! Leave a link if you are doing 30 days wild!
xxx