ALL IN A GROUP by J A J Richardson

All in a Group : abstracted from 'A Book of Countryside Poems'

By J A J Richardson 

There was a Nye of Pheasants in the field this morning

Just as a giant Flock of Pigeons cooed from their evening roost

There was a Litter of Fox Cubs prowling like a Pride of Lions

That gave way to a Murmation of Starlings

There was a Covey of Partridge in among the currants

As a Gaggle of Geese flew northwards into winter

Besides a Charm of Chaffinches playing catch-up in the hedgerow

High above the Herd of Cattle down below

There was a Husk of Hares heading homeward for the solstice

Alongside an Exaltation of Larks

Each fighting and fussing like a Fall of Woodcock

Leaping like leopards bitten by the frost

There was a Host of Sparrows, as the farmer sought to flail them

Like a Troop of Baboons in machinery all golden

As a Dryft of Swine, no sownder befit them

While a Cete of Badgers slept quietly below.

There was a Murder of Crow waiting to display, 

With a kaleidoscope of butterflies in the meadow, 

A whole Group of Humans wasting empty plastic,

Above an Army of Frogs and a Knot of Toads.

And the Bevy of Muntjac sat silent in the brambles

Were but biding their time like a Watch of Nightingales

As a Harras of Horses sought to hound the Soulk of Foxes

Which disturbed a Walk of Snipe from their breakfast of worms 

J A J RICHARDSON 2015