Duncan and Betsy Wren

Sitting here drinking a glass of champagne
along side the Murray, on a cold winters day,
when two little wrens started chatting away
so I sat very quietly, trying to hear what they'd say

Whispering and chattering, flapping their wings
bouncing around on their feet made of springs,
the male bird boisterously, bossy and blue
was telling the female, who wouldn't be told what to do

'Come on Betsy, come over here and play' !
'not now Duncan, please, it's too cold this winters day
'oh, ruffle up your feathers, be bold and brave like me'!
'Duncan, I told you NO ! Listen to what I say'

He danced and sang to woo her
tried so hard to get her to play
but Betsy wouldn't have it
it just wasn't Duncan's day !

He sat amongst the flowers
hopped through the bushes and a few trees
fluttered his beautiful bright blue wings
as he chirped, hopped and teased !

Betsy, she just hopped around.....
to find a quite happy place
where she just sat in solitude
thinking of Duncan's rejected feathered face !

She thought of how she loved him
always had and always will
how he had always cared for her
with fresh bugs, rotted leaves and worms

She reminisced on the wonderful homes
they'd built together, with quality twigs and leaves
how they'd raised their chicks up
then watched them spread their wings !

A wriggling through her tiny claws
saw the end of a worms life
as Betsy caught their supper that night,
then prepared it with love and leaves

They enjoyed their meal, that winters night,
they chirped about their day
Duncan so happy with his worm catching wife
that he forgave her for not wanting to play !

As they sat in the bush all huddled and warm,
with a worm and leaf in their tummies
they nestled their heads tightly together
kissed beaks and hid safe from the weather.

I lifted my glass and toasted these birds
as my mind played its tricks on my thoughts
these seemingly carefree, fragile birds
remind me of my Aunt and late Uncle !

Two loving souls bound by true love
forever in each other's hearts and
no matter how life may seperate you
you will never ever be apart


(c) by Sue McDonald Written for my beautiful Aunt in July 2019

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