Nature Notes
Dandelions
Incorrigible, brash,
They brightened the cinder path of my childhood,
Unsubtle, the opposite of primroses,
But, unlike primroses, capable
Of growing anywhere, railtrack, pierhead,
Like our extrovert friends who never
Make us fall in love, yet fill
The primroseless roseless gaps.
Cats
Incorrigible, uncommitted,
They leavened the long flat hours of my childhood,
Subtle, the opposite of dogs,
And, unlike dogs, capable
Of flirting, falling, and yawning anywhere,
Like women who want no contract
But going their own way
Make the way of their lovers lighter.
Corncrakes
Incorrigible, unmusical,
They bridged the surrounding hedge of my childhood,
Unsubtle, the opposite of blackbirds,
But, unlike blackbirds, capable
Anywhere they are of endorsing summer
Like loud men around the corner
Whom we never see but whose raucous
Voices can give us confidence.
The Sea
Incorrigble, ruthless,
It rattled the shingly beach of my childhood,
Subtle, the opposite of earth,
And unlike earth, capable
Any time at all of proclaiming eternity
Like someone or something to whom
We have to surrender, finding
Through that surrender life.
-- Louis MacNeice