We’ve a new house with an old hedge

Slow to leaf and slow to fall

So its’ curled and russet leaves

Provide a home for one and all

A female blackcap moved in for the winter solstice

A mild December day

And she stayed and stayed

I named her Esmerelda after the play

She patrols the fat and peanut feeders

Chases the other birds away

She’s certainly a little plumper now, and proud

And round

The hedge is alive on the coldest of days

Little birds popping their heads out

to see if the coast is clear

And darting in and out

In constant fear 

of the Sparrow hawk

who has  been here 

He flew into the hedge like a lost drone on full throttle

Left empty handed, thank goodness

Unlike the neighbours cat 

that sits by the top of the hedge 

Like the wicked witch of the north

She grabbed a bird in plain sight

Luckily not Esmerelda, for we saw her the next day

Plumped up and ready to play