January

A New Year has started, the old one is past.
New Year resolutions, a fresh die to cast.
Out with the old year, in with the new.
We're each a year older, remaining years, few?
This may sound gloomy, this may sound sad,
like pretend friends you never really had!

What a lovely Xmas, mild with blue skies
For three days I fished with the sun in my eyes.
I took off my jacket, t'was the Summer again
No fish did I catch, but who's to complain?
The water was still like a millpond, so flat.
I put on sunglasses, but took off my hat.

Everything peaceful I fell quietly asleep
and woke with a start when my bite alarm bleeped.
It wasn't a fish, but an Otter had swam
into my line, then across it again.
I watched as its bubble disappeared out of sight.
No chance for a photo, but that was alright!

Each time that I see one, it's gone in a flash
Diving down deeper with hardly a splash.
I've bought a fish finder and will give it a go
Then maybe an Otter I'll see down below.
But they don't seem to worry, they know I'm no threat
And I'll get a photo of one of them , yet!

And again, just off Duck Bay, next day I did see
a big one come up, not ten yards from me.
I sat quietly on boat, camera ready in hand
But they're having me on, never come up again!
After Xmas came thick frost, each day was so cold.
Like my mates, I stopped fishing - Gee, I'm getting old!

It seemed to take all day, just to get out of bed.
then it's sawing up firewood and getting birds fed.
I feed them so much they eat more than me.
But at night, I'm in the warm, whilst they're in a tree!
Each morning I feed them, Coal tits - from my hand
and they come to the back door, on paintings they land.

The Robin - he watches, then he takes his cue.
He won't be left out, so he comes in too!
The weather forecast into the New Year:
More cold and frost - so no let, I fear.
Just maybe it'll kill of MIDGIE larvae as well
but, until it's summer, we can't really tell

Now that would be a blessing, I think you'll agree
If this year there's no Midgies to bite you and me!
So a belated Merry Xmas, but a Happy New Year
to you - one and all - Good health and Good Cheer.

David Willis