If only I could hibernate
To awaken in the spring
To see sweet swathes of snowdrops
A welcome sign as spring begins
With daffodils and hyacinths
And tulips on their way
And pretty blue forget me nots
In gentle breeze shall dance and sway
The sun she rises higher in the cloudless bluest sky
Great feelings of expectation with every passing day
If only I could hibernate
Just like my tortoise Alfred the Great
For Alfie has the best idea
Snuggling down this time of year
Tummy full
And time to sleep
Not missing winter chills
Or other seasonal ills
I will awaken to spring sunshine
When all around is sparkling
Birdsong t'will infuse the air
There will be green shoots everywhere
Melodious love songs birds shall sing
To celebrate first day of spring
So now as I retire to bed
Snuggling ‘neath my duvet
Time for me to hibernate
And sleep until that special date
When sunshine takes the chill away
I’ll open up my eyes and say
hip hip hurray ~ it's spring today
‘tis time for me to celebrate
my happy springtime birthday date
Written 14th November 2020
Alfred the Great
Said, " Peace without axe I will bring with baptism and ring
And beyond all ken
Dunk enemy king and wed Saxons with great Danes to create Englishmen."
Alfred the Great (born Wantage, 849)
Market place; he stands in isolation.
Known for culinary conflagration,
The object of two vandalous attacks –
How scandalous to steal his battle axe !
He burned the cakes and chased the Danes
But what makes Alfred great ?
At Ashdown with his massive axe and helm
He fought the Danes and drove them from his realm.
A firm believer in education,
In order, justice, administration,
He burned the cakes and chased the Danes
And this made Alfred great.
A naval fleet he set upon the sea
And with Mercian and Welsh diplomacy
His armies, garrisons, forts and palisades
Ensured defence against all future raids.
He burned the cakes and chased the Danes
Isn’t our Alfred, Great ?
Alfred the Great
As a king was first rate;
He was famed for his brains
And made peace with the Danes.
A West Saxon King of Wessex and grace
He dealt with the Danes a convincing deface
Father of Navy and military blow
A legalised system the people should Know
Nation divided the Danes bowed to truce
Example in history for Robert the Bruce
Before this great stand 870 anon
He fought with the Danes 9 battles not one
Three elder of brothers fought till they died
Their wounds from the battle for Alfred did cry
During the wars in the marshes and mist
Alfred did hide and men did enlist
Athelney Marsh the bravest remained
A muiscal lyre for Danes he refrained
Marching and planning the lady of lakes
Thought and great planning he burnt all her cakes
Beaten by besom for burning the grate
She fell to her knees in humble prostrate
Stumbling on but lost on the Heath
Broach of gold lace that Alfred had sheathed
The Danes flag of battle broken and torn
A truce with old Guthrum eventually born
All is at rest for subjects now prove
Schooling begins and the hunger removes
His wife Ethelwulf with Nation at peace
Religion and taxes Westminister keeps
The Navy rebuilt and challenge at sea
Alfred for saint now rumoured by me
Ian Foley
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