.
We’re like medieval countryfolk
Confined to their fields and lanes.
Above us the swifts swoop and wheel
Refuelling for their long-haul flights.
.
© John Looker 2020
Posted by: John Looker | 10 September, 2020
Autumn under coronavirus
Posted in other poems
Poetry from John Looker 
Great short poem there John! At least we have fields and lanes- my eldest did lockdown in a hot city centre.
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By: The Cheesesellers Wife on 10 September, 2020
at 18:07
That certainly sounds much harder! Good to hear from you Kim.
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By: John Looker on 10 September, 2020
at 19:03
Taht’s great John – short and to the point!
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By: gorgeousgael on 10 September, 2020
at 18:56
Thanks Tom. All the best!
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By: John Looker on 10 September, 2020
at 19:03
I’ve been in the garden (in the middle of our village) watching the swifts and the martins – the martins still here on their third brood – and it has been wonderful. Thank you for this neat image.
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By: hilarycustancegreen on 10 September, 2020
at 20:33
Ah, thanks Hilary. It’s great watching them, I do agree.
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By: John Looker on 10 September, 2020
at 22:32
Oh, to be a swift. ❤ Beautifully written, John.
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By: ebbtide on 11 September, 2020
at 00:27
Hi Sarah – thank you.
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By: John Looker on 11 September, 2020
at 07:43
John, a beautifully succinct poem contrasting our Covid-confined lives with the freedom of those zipping, dipping swifts scooping bellyfuls of insects for their long haul east. ..
Better a raptor on your tail perhaps than our lurking, lethal pathogen?
Best,
Paul
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By: Paul Beech on 11 September, 2020
at 10:28
Thanks Paul – what an interesting comparison! We do live in such strange times right now.
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By: John Looker on 11 September, 2020
at 11:19
Nice! Good poem John
Sent from my iPhone
>
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By: Frederick E. Whitehead on 11 September, 2020
at 13:11
Thanks a lot Fred. Nice to hear from you!
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By: John Looker on 13 September, 2020
at 07:38
Thanks a lot Fred. Nice to hear from you!
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By: John Looker on 11 September, 2020
at 13:47
Makes me smile, John.
Thanks, Tom
On Thu, Sep 10, 2020 at 11:07 AM Poetry from John Looker wrote:
> John Looker posted: ” We’re like medieval countryfolkConfined to their > fields and lanes. Above us the swifts swoop and wheelRefuelling for their > long-haul flights. © John Looker 2020 ” >
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By: Thomas Davis on 12 September, 2020
at 20:03
Hello Tom – thank you!
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By: John Looker on 13 September, 2020
at 07:41
Hello Tom – thank you!
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By: John Looker on 13 September, 2020
at 07:39
Absolutely love this, John; it’s pitch-perfect and very beautiful in its compactness, clarity and emotional punch. I’m particularly drawn to the nature reference, of course; and your portrayal of us as the simple, earthbound, primitive species and the swifts as the advanced, sophisticated globalists we like to think we are is masterly. I think you may have just invented the English haiku! N.
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By: gonecyclingagain on 18 September, 2020
at 11:45
Many thanks Nick – I’m glad it’s been a hit with you! I hope you are getting out cycling as much as you want.
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By: John Looker on 19 September, 2020
at 21:29
Without television they looked elsewhere
Finding truth and even beauty out there
Progress commonly seen as improvement
Frequently damages, destroys them both
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By: Ben Naga on 27 September, 2020
at 20:44
Thanks Ben!
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By: John Looker on 29 September, 2020
at 07:41
Such a well-written poem! You say a lot with so few words! 🙂
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By: cheriewhite on 2 October, 2020
at 03:19
Thank you Cherie – you’re very kind.
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By: John Looker on 2 October, 2020
at 07:50
Very well done, thank you for posting this.
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By: Geri Lawhon on 3 October, 2020
at 22:54
Thank you, that’s very kind!
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By: John Looker on 4 October, 2020
at 11:28