Greenfinch

The greenfinch landed on the snow, Upon the twig to stand, And looked as if no place to go, With nothing firmly planned. The snow had settled far and wide On gardens in the street, As though it hoped fresh food to hide, Just frozen scraps to eat. The greenfinch looked both left and right For neighbours to be kind, Before it turned as black as night, Kindness not brought to mind. But I had planned for such a day, With bird food, I had bought, For cleaned-off table and a tray, As other neighbours taught. And pretty soon, the greenfinch came, With other finches, too, So many colours, not the same, As if to grant a clue. No longer just a selfish child, I blessed the neighbourhood, On Christmas Day, I smiled and smiled, And did the good I should! 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.