Blue Tit...

: : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : How blessed he looks with his blue crown, His face both black and white, And with such plumage soft as down, A sight meant to delight. And he looks a cheerful fellow, With charms that never fail, With his chest a mustard yellow, And beige near to the tail. His upper back is somewhat green, His wings both white and blue, Such that he stays so clearly seen When he flies into view. His feet form tridents when he lands To help him balance there, And these are how he gently stands, As if without a care. His short blue beak seeks tiny food That some kind folks supply, No doubt to brighten up his mood Before he has to fly. Because of him, more birds dine, too, Once he feeds on the ground, And thanks to him, not one feels blue When they see him around. Denis Martindale. October 2021. A poem based on a magnificent wildlife painting, by UK wildlife artist Stephen Gayford celebrating birds still 'free as birds' studied across the world.