Tuesday 24 May 2011

ABC Wednesday - Scarecrows

Some scarecrows were dressed for relaxation, at the end of the year when the crops had been taken and only squash were left to guard.
Some were snappily dressed, perhaps ready for a night out.
Some were on their uppers, possibly the stress of guarding both cabbages and squash.
I met this quaint group of scarecrows in the walled vegetable gardens at Tatton Park last September. I wonder if they will have a new set of clothes this year as spring planting goes ahead.

 The Scarecrow by Walter De La Mare

All winter through I bow my head
beneath the driving rain;
the North Wind powders me with snow
and blows me black again;
at midnight 'neath a maze of stars
I flame with glittering rime,
and stand above the stubble, stiff
as mail at morning-prime.
But when that child called Spring, and all
his host of children come,
scattering their buds and dew upon
these acres of my home,
some rapture in my rags awakes;
I lift void eyes and scan
the sky for crows, those ravening foes,
of my strange master, Man.
I watch him striding lank behind
his clashing team, and know
soon will the wheat swish body high
where once lay a sterile snow;
soon I shall gaze across a sea
of sun-begotten grain,
which my unflinching watch hath sealed
for harvest once again. 

Stroll across to ABC Wednesday where there will be lots more words starting with S

11 comments:

Sylvia K said...

What a fun, great post for the S Day! Love those stylish scarecrows and I also love De Le Mars words! Beautiful! Enjoy your week, Joy!

Sylvia
ABC Team

Paula Scott Molokai Girl Studio said...

Fabulous! I think more of us should do this sort of thing. I just never think of it or act on it. But, it would be fun to have a bunch of them in your yard whether or not there is anything to guard!

Roger Owen Green said...

Looks like Sesame Street characters!


ROG, ABC Wednesday team

MERYL JAFFE, PhD - parent, psychologist, teacher, author... said...

GREAT post - I love the collection of scarecrows you found and the poem was wonderful. I leave with a warm smile, thank you.

Oakland Daily Photo said...

The first scarecrow looks relaxed and dapper.

VioletSky said...

These are fun looking scarecrows!

Rajesh said...

Fantastic, each one of these are unique in their own ways.

Kay L. Davies said...

Super choice for S day, and super scarecrows, too.
Haven't thought of Walter de la Mare since school days, but a perfect poem for your post, Joy.
— K

Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel

Tumblewords: said...

Terrific post! I hadn't thought of scarecrows for a long time! Smiling broadly - I enjoyed this!

Hildred said...

What a great post, - loved the Scarecrows, and also Walter de la Mare's poetry. There should be a place inside for scarecrows in the depths of winter....

jabblog said...

Scarecrows do a grand job - or try to;-)