By Alec Haines

I am here to guard these harrowed fields of seed

Sown by man for very many mouths to feed.

I stand here nailed to a great long length of wood

For days on end without any sign of food.

I am so fully clothed and wear a silken tie,

A scarf around my neck so hot when it is dry.

I have to be observant through night and also day

To keep away the strangers who think they're here to stay.

There are foxes and the badgers, young deer and ageing hares

All wanting to use this field crop just one of my many cares

To protect this field from damage and any costly loss.

I cannot wave my wooden arms, it does so make me cross,

But then I have the company of lovely birds that sing

Whether on a bush or tree or some upon the wing.

I have a blackbird's nest built neath my shoulder blade

And many other nests of moss below my waistcoat's shade.

With cosy homes for sparrows, the wren and bearded tit

Seeking my protection, I do not mind a bit.

Butterflies on my arms in daylight, at night a lovely owl.

Around me all sorts of animals, I see them on the prowl.

Sadly the time will come too soon when my home will be a shed

To winter through the darkness where animals are fed.

I shall still see so many birds that I must have seen before

Pecking, pecking, pecking near me upon the granary floor

This Corn I was protecting as seed sown in the fields

May the children o'er the world have benefits from its yields

And now I say farewell till I am wanted in the Spring

Where I'll have the company of animals and small birds upon the wing.