Written by Susan Lane

We weren’t even looking for a birdbath.

We only went for a general look
My other half and me
To see what was in the store
We certainly weren’t looking
For any kind of birdbath
That’s for sure

We found a fabulous one, though.
It was nice, big and deep
Snuggled within the display of plants
Climbers and trees

It had a bit of a wonky top
But that was ok for me
Because it was big enough
For lots of birds
To enjoy a drink
After their greedy feed

The birds they enjoyed it
For so many years
Every blistering hot summer
Blustery winters too, when
The cold northerly wind
Blew through

They not only had a drink
But they also bathed in it too
They weren’t always that fussy
And didn’t avoid it when
Temperatures dropped to 2

They invited all their mates. 
To jump in and have a go
They had a pretty good time
It was like watching 
All the local kids
Playing in the snow

There they were showing off
The swimming pool now
Was quite cool
I’m not sure any human would
Be such a fool

There they go
Enjoying their rave
That’s a good comparison too
All those humans
Had nothing on them

All fluttering, squawking
And shouting
At each other too
They all got out quick

Because it was starting to further cool
Didn’t want to be
Frozen like a fish on a fountain
Nope, that’d look silly

Birdbath Deterioration

Then of course as time went by
The birdbath that was,
Became weather-worn and spent
It had deteriorated so much
That it leaked

But that ornament was
Made of solid concrete
And therefore
Made a perfect planter, hehe.

But that didn’t stop
The defeated look
Over the next few years
Even more cracks appeared

It was solid, and certainly
Built to last
But the good old British weather
With fluctuating temperatures
Eventually, took it to task

Those poor birds were missing
Their penthouse bathing facility
It had been taken to be a planter
For something useless and pretty

Anyway, now the birds are thinking
“Oh my god,
The plants were too heavy and
Our nice big bath is in bits
It’s in pieces, on the deck

But . . .
Good fortune had shone here
Because the lady that be
Did provided us with
That low-level monstrosity

Oh well, maybe we’ll have to go
Use that big plastic one
It’s not so nice or
Anywhere near as high
But it’s got a fabulous up point
On which we all agree

It’s massive, so much bigger,
What the heck
Let’s party, then go sunbathe
On that amazing deck
Made of slabs of concrete
Or maybe sit in a tree.”

Whilst the lady watches me
Preen and shake
The water droplets from me
I strut my stuff
She’s always watching
I think she’s keen on me, hehe.

© Susan Lane. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted in any form without prior written permission from the author.

ColourMine poetry, and the original photographs, are completely authentic to myself, Susan Lane – no AI, no plagiarism, all checked and verified by copyleaks

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