Ownership
by Su Rennison (Soroptimist International Canterbury, England) from An Anthology of Poetry by Soroptimists Worldwide - Voices in Verse Compiled and edited by Jacque Emery ISBN 978-0-9585118-7-2:-
We bought our house and garden plot
Over twenty years ago,
We paid our mortgage on the dot
And felt we owned this sacred spot,
Alas, we find that we do not.
The garden is the battleground,
So many owners in competition,
Hardcased beasties, fur and feather
Trees and flowers conspire together
To claim for each a treasured spot
Do we own it? We do not!
Cats have commandeered the lot,
Claimed it as their own domain.
Two patrol the territory,
King for the moment, alert and wary,
Fearful of banishment from this spot,
Recapture from cats? We would rather not!
Foxes make it their motorway
A convenient route from A to B.
Field mice travel on shorter legs,
Badgers once and fuzzypegs,
Cutting a road through this local spot,
Compulsory purchase? We regret not!
Birds in flocks come flying down
To meet, to feed, to strut around,
Starlings, Sparrows, Dunnocks, Jays,
Blackbirds, Thrushes, come and stay.
The Robin reigns upon this plot
He is the monarch. We are not!
Squirrels shop in the superstore
Choice of nut and seeds galore.
Abseiling down with effortless pull
Defying gravity they stuff themselves full.
Storing for winter in this neighbourly spot
A money spinner? Surprisingly not!
Trees and plants mature in season
Sink deep roots and bask in the sun.
The ancient Iris stand pranked and tall
While apples ripen and gently fall.
Year on year they remain in this spot
Will we outstay them? I think not!
What shall we do with these marauders?
Battle the hatches? Repel the borders?
Take them to court to claim possession?
No judge would grant me such a concession,
Just for the sake of a garden plot
Oh certainly not! Certainly not!
So how do we feel who linger here?
Cutting the grass, tending the banks,
Willingly, lovingly, regardless of thanks.
We have learned that if you stand and stare
Or sit relaxed in garden chair,
You can catch an echo as light as air
"You have your share, You have your share."
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