The Beguiling Barn Owl

it came into sight like a phantom at night
not the slightest of whispers was heard
its like shimmering lace with a heavenley face
such a stunningly beautifull bird
yet this swift gracefull ghost with its silent aproach
hides a secret abhorrant and dirty
its a killing machine thats both heartless and mean
that gets rid of its prey without mercy
in the war against vermin and crop eating pests
hes an ally of fabled renown
every good farmer knows that whenever he shows
he will keep the old enemy down
with his tallons kept sharp and his face like a heart
and his family thats waiting up late
be it blackbird or vole or a hare thats the goal
every target will share the same fate
with his razor sharp claws he disects and dismembers
each prize he takes back to his nest
when this silent assasin appears in the skies
theres no quarry or foe that can rest
he flies overhead and rewiews the farmstead 
with its  meadows and downs deep with snow
whith his charges well fed he returns to his bed
in the moonlight his wings seem to glow
any creature can hide a dispicable side
even one that looks spotless and chaste
our great beauty in flight seems a heavenly sight
then despatches its victims poste haste
so each reader beware and take consumate care
knowing beauty is only skin deep
it can rip out your heart and just tare it apart
then slip off in the night while you sleep
                        by LJM 28/12/2012

Old Harry A Dorset Legend

That face has took some beatings on that we all agree
Its dark and broody rugged features looking out to sea

The limpets look like blisters as they cling for dear life

Old Harry stands here all alone still mourning for his wife

 

He lost her in eighteen ninety six she collapsed into the sea

A raging storm just cut her off like some wartime amputee

It left a stump a reminder to which old Harry tries to cling

It shows itself at certain times when the tides fall right in spring

You hear the peal of ghostly bells when a raging storms severe

Some say it's a friendly visitor that old Harry once held dear

The locals say it's from a sunken ship with an unholy blasphemous crew

That were carrying bells for a church in Poole when their ship was broke in two

The wind cuts through St Lucas leap old Harry doesn't care

He still remembers days gone by when his wife was standing there

Old Harry still stands tall and proud alone and cold and free

He awaits the storm that will take him down to his wife beneath the sea

             

By LJM 01/03/2013