The State of Gates

There are good gates, fine and functional,
and bad gates that are not.
The good gates, carefully fastened,
hang from hinges that are hot.
The bad gates are abandoned
and lie rotting on the verge.
The good gates sometimes open,
letting cows and sheep emerge.
The bad gates, they were good gates, once,
and knew how to behave;
like the good gates, their five wooden bars
stood like a music stave.
The good gates still make music
as they squeak upon each hinge,
where on bad gates' silent status
even rust could not impinge.
There are good gates, fine and functional,
and bad gates that are not,
but the farmers most responsible
find good gates hit the spot.

© Celia Warren 2016

The wind dropped, the sun shone warmly, and we enjoyed a two-hour walk around the local lanes. Saw three butterflies - a large white, a red admiral and a speckled wood, and watched a wren hopping around a woodpile, feasting on insects.

Came home to a glass of Mackeson in the garden (it's not been fit for garden-sitting for most of this summer). Now Mr PP's prepared a fine risotto and the wine's poured ...

Have a lovely evening, all.