Picnic for One

Glorious afternoon on the River Test (Hampshire)

Picnic for One

On an isolated sheltered bend of the river Test

I spread a checked coverlet upon its mossy bank

In readiness for a reclusive time of contemplation

With full flask of hot coffee and ploughman’s lunch

Just moments after settling down to my private respite

The river’s melody of babbling mantra filled the air

Making marsh grasses flex in dancing enchantment

And nearby hawthorn shrubs rustled with soft applause

A kingfisher played upon a captured minnow’s scales

Up and down its silvery span like a harmonica player

But unlike his human talented musician counterpart

Kingfisher promptly gulped down his oily instrument

Tortoiseshells along with copper and marbled whites

Swayed rhythmically to the splashing aquatic beats

From fresh foaming pulsing beads of crystal water

Tapping new tunes upon the irregular shaped pebbles

Water voles mutely slipped secretively around the reeds

Like gatecrashers invading an open air sponsored recital

Keeping from the gaze of nearby swans and moorhens

Basking in the harmonious tempos of this ancient wetland

Out of fen-like vegetation strode a magnificent grey heron

Elatedly standing as a one legged orchestral conductor

With beaked baton directing a simultaneous performance

Of all entertainers in this visually spectacular enactment

How wonderful this encapsulation of nature’s liberate theatre

In continuous unrepeatable series of extravagant events

No one could ask more from such a captivating paradise

Presented just for me on this uncomplicated picnic for one

Copy @ Phillozofee 2018

Reviews

[‘Thoughts In Time..]

Nobody can ask for more than that captivating paradise you have spoken of here- how I love the river and the beauty of nature- captivating and free and so worth falling inlove with- couldn’t think of a better place for a picnic for one - but- two would also do nicely- stunning poem🌹

[Mari' Emeraude]

You took the beauty of an afternoon and brought it to us, served up in a lovely bounty of eloquent words/. The descriptions were wild in this! I could see everything you witnessed with a beautiful twist.

[kitty]

Reminds me of days spent in my static on the banks of the river Avon. I oten took those 'Picnis for one' wher I could be one with nature and create! Many a pieces were created there: some received acclaim on publication. Keep up the good work!

[Lorry]

Superbly written. Makes me all the more eager for spring to be sprung :)

[Gandré]

Feverish intensity....such a deep imaginative compass... loved it.

[Cherrie Palmer]

on this snow packed day this was a welcome retreat to the river.

[Phill Oz O'fee]

Thank you - happy to supply the 'retreat' .. :-)

[angelina neves]

lovely!
When in nature i also feel most of the time:
"No one could ask more from such a captivating paradise / Presented just for me on this uncomplicated picnic for one"

[Phill Oz O'fee]

Glad you liked the write :-)

[Melobldnfr]

My gosh, the cadence of this write is positively astounding! Thank you for sharing!

[Phill Oz O'fee]

Thank you for reading and reviewing :-)

[jacob erin-cilberto]

love to have some popcorn and a Root Beer and sit and watch all that you have described here...it is nature's theater...and beautifully described by your lustrous imager--

thank you for this piece...it is so soothing.

[Phill Oz O'fee]

Hummm .... now you have reminded me of the A&W root beer and Orville popcorn me and my siblings used to enjoy years ago; thank you for the kind review - have a great day! :-)