ABC Wednesday - D is for Ducks Crossing

The photograph is from August 1986 and was taken somewhere in Huntingdonshire. We were staying in our touring caravan in a field at a site known as a certificated location.

This poem was first published in the magazine Periaktos and included in my collection Stealing Kisses and the anthology Positively Poetry. Copies of both these last two publications are still available, direct from myself.

BY A SLEEPY ENGLISH VILLAGE

Beyond the wooded embankment home of Flopsy, Mopsey, Bobtail -
over which the diesels thunder
on their flight from King's Cross to Waverley,
the village lies hidden from view.

The green is split but each side cottage-lined -
a wood of shelter for snails
opposite bare grass and war-memorial
with Church Lane a "No Through Road".

Between the Post Office Stores, half of a house -
and the Elephant & Castle's bloated car-park
leading to beer-garden, swings, play-area,
stands the twice-a-week bus shelter.

The parish notice-board is discreet but manifests -
a note from the US Airforce concerning
a vital twenty-four hour NATO exercise
during which the commander will ensure

night-time flying is to be kept to a minimum -
On the approach lane to a nearby hamlet
a warning-sign establishes priority
- "Slow ! Ducks crossing !"

© GERALD ENGLAND, 1986.

Although not officially partaking in ABC Wednesday, my post today at Hyde DP is D for Daffodils.