Once Upon a Countryside

Once were badgers in leafy dale, once were rabbits and foxes too, once were pheasants in shining copse where cuckoopint and coltsfoot grew. Once were songbirds in privet hedges, once were bluebells for mile upon mile, once were dark woods cool and shading hiding squirrels and foxes guile. Once were home fed pigs and poultry, once were food with proper taste, once were marls with mirrored water, but now they only hold our waste. Once were farmers in umber meadow, once were colliers in village pit, once were taverns for quenching thirst where now the townie and tourist sit. Once were fens and fields and down-lands, once were moorhen and curlews call, once were stewards of Gods own country, where now there is but urban sprawl. Once were leaders of Albion's masses, once were statesmen of unbending word, once was a land that was fit for heroes, where now only spin and deceit are heard.