Did you see what's there?

Walking to town, a hole in the fence
What lies behind is a real suspense
Peering through, I see a tail of fluff
Big fat cheeks, with food they're stuffed

Short furry coat all coloured in red
Two little ears on top of his head
Eating a nut which I think was a hazel
The little red animal says he's a squirrel

Mom, dad, do you see what's there
But they're too busy, they don't seem to care
Rushing by, we're on our way
They'll have to wait till another day

Up in the trees I heard two birds sing
With little red faces and bright yellow wings
They told of a tale of their winter away
Flying to Spain for a lovely warm stay

Back for the summer, they found a small patch
Laying five little eggs now ready to hatch
Singing to me from their nest in the branches
The small little birds said they're goldfinches

Mom, dad, do you see what's there
But they're too busy, they don't seem to care
Rushing by, we're on our way
They'll have to wait till another day

Over the bridge with a river below
I lean over the wall to see its strong flow
Up from the water a head pops out
Little webbed feet, a fish in his mouth

Back on the bank we have a quick natter
And dropping the fish he says he's an otter
Spending the day in the river having fun
To his house called a holt the otter did run

Mom, dad, do you see what's there
But they're too busy, they don't seem to care
Rushing by, we're on our way
They'll have to wait till another day

On a grassy green bank I lift up a stone
And spy underneath a creature alone
Four little legs with four little toes
A light coloured belly with an orangey glow

Blinking his eyes in the newly bright light
He says with a yawn "I only play at night"
With velvety skin he looks sleepy and cute
And having a stretch, he says he's a newt

Mom, dad, do you see what's there
But they're too busy, they don't seem to care
Rushing by, we're on our way
They'll have to wait till another day

On the way back from a day at the shops
There's no rush now, so we can stop
I show all the animals I saw on the way
The newt, the birds and the otter at play

On to the squirrel who's down by the tree
He picks up some hazelnuts, one, two and three
Spying us all, he throws them into the air
And juggles the nuts while we stand and stare

Mom, dad, do you see what's there
Yes they say as they stand and stare
Taking a bow and with a wink of his eye
He says "next time you'll look as you walk by"

(C) Mark Sage 2013