Badger
Deep in the shadows he snuffles and pushes,
his nose riffling down through decaying leaf mushes.
Sniffing out worms, slugs, and beetles,
soft, chewy, crunchy things that he munches and eatles.
Dig, dig, digging with his powerful front claws,
he seeks out such yuck to get in his jaws!
A snail for breakfast, a frog for dinner,
grub and scoff that would make you shiver!
And spotting a Badger is never easy,
especially if it might make you queasy!
You see, with his body grey and his face black and white,
he’s perfectly camouflaged in the depths of the night.
But if you’re prepared to crouch down and don’t mind getting mucky,
happy to wait in the hope to strike lucky,
then you might see him crashing through brambles
'cos he’s tough as old boots as he bashes and scrambles.
Mind, despite all his racket, he’s really quite shy.
I’ve heard he wouldn’t say boo to a goose, or a fly.
So, if you’re quiet as a mouse, you might just get a glimpse.
No, watching for badgers ain’t for wimps!
Then, as the sun comes up and begins to shine brightly,
with his belly quite full and not feeling so sprightly,
he returns underground to his home called a sett,
which, surprise, surprise, is dry, not wet.
And there, all day, he sleeps, snoring soundly,
snuggled up warm with the rest of his family,
until, once again, as it begins to get dark,
he noses the air and ventures out for the lark.
(I my opinion, this would make a lovely children's book.)
Ted Smith short bio: "I’m an optimist, an aspiring writer, a painter of all sorts (figurative abstract and decorator and restorer of ancient ol' buildings)
I’m a political animal too, pro EU, anti Brexit, and someone that enjoys reasoned and respectful debate. Labour Party member but forced to vote LibDems because of the iniquity of the UK’s ridiculous FPTP Voting System.
Also, I'm a dad a second time around (must be mad, but I love it) and a granddad.
'Life in the ol' dog yet, eh?'"
