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