Many years ago when visiting my home village

I spoke to a farmer in a country lane

Our discussion centred around change

And why the fields and trees

More or less remained the same

He noted that hummingbirds

Were only active for a few seasons

Before they destroyed themselves

The faster you live the faster you will fade

He pointed to his ancient cottage

Which had a crumbling shed not far away

He loved tortoises and gave them the run of his garden

During the warmer months and the shed for hibernation

They can teach you so much about life

As they move around slowly without much excitement

At the pace of nature which is constant

These fields and trees are the same

They change only but four times a year

Generations of creatures come and go

It is a firm life cycle that will not change

Unless it is interfered with by fools like me