The Great Tits Nest Poem by Francis Duggan

Though the years may leave us looking old and gray
Life's more pleasant surprises with us seem to stay
And when the long gone years we do recall
Some of our childhood memories still the best of all.

And i still recall that afternoon in May
As i walked home from Primary school the fields by the roadway
Looked beautiful in their wild flowers of the Spring
And on bush and hedge and tree the birds did sing.

As i walked by a moss covered stone wall
I heard strange sounds like young birds make when they call
To their parents for food it came from a tiny hole
But in there it was dark as dark as coal.

Two small dark and yellow birds with white cheeks around me flew
And they chirped loudly as their anxiety grew
I waved my hands at them to instil in them fear
But they chirped louder and they kept hovering near.

As i walked on beyond their territory
Their chirping ceased and they ceased to harass me
I thought to myself what breed of bird are they
And what caused them to behave in such a way? .

An eight year old and to ways of Nature green
And later on i told an old bloke of what I'd seen
He said in hole in wall young great tits in their nest
And your presence caused the parental unrest.

A lesson in Nature from the long ago
Still of Nature i have much to learn and know
And though the years may leave us looking old and gray
The pleasant memories with us tend to stay.