3.Shepherds Warning Poem by Jeff Law

The scent of the dew that glistens from the frosty morning
The descent of the countryside’s perfume, I listen for Thursdays dawning
With the horizon seemingly ablaze, haunting flames, the sky is auburn
I guess I finally understand that this is the shepherd’s warning

The field that lays upon me, should be filled with Mother Nature
With flowers blossoming, plants feet tall and all types of insect and creature
But in the middle of this baron field, stands a lonely and tattered feature
The gentle giant, not a shoulder to cry on, the scarecrow deserted and beaten

A crow flies down to hover the straw based hero in my eyes but not to the farmer
Hanging on a rusty pole, rain, sleet and even snow with a body of thatch for his armour
No name or abode, just a scarecrow alone, not even a smile to be stitched to add charm
Old arms and old legs, a torn red hat for his head, his heart it can’t beat, it’s been crushed by old yarn

The hawk floats above the horizon line, a hunter waiting for the chase to begin
The meagre robin, crested, crimson chested, the hawks interested with sin
The hunter swoops swiftly, but the robin is nifty and a battle of the skies has commenced
The two locked in a fierce foxtrot with none bold enough to lead, both with talons clenched

The first ray of sunlight falls upon the stricken field and arouses the soil
A theatre of ladybirds begin their daily matinee, the metaphorical red carpet is uncoiled
Rumble of applause or not as it seems, a patrolling feline arises from slumber and dreams
A glance to the steeple; for the hour of people, the pet cat’s feeling feeble and craves a whisker of cream

A shrill wakening, the trees shake and then almost instantly the leaves burst into story
The cockerels singing is deafening, almost threatening to the ears of morning glory
Now awake, the farmer borrows a stare out the window, and glares at the hollow
But gone are the dew, the wildlife and view, just an old lonely scarecrow who has witnessed with sorrow