We’ve been watching
a young greenfinch
over the past two days.
Hopping
along our window sill,
dozing
on the bird bath,
snoozing
by the clothes line.

He was beautiful,
with plumage of green, beige
and gold.
He was able to fly
but just looked
uncertain.

And last night
a cat got him –
hunted down and killed
for sport.

Such a pity!

Thank you, Lord,
for the hours of enjoyment
that we derive from watching
the comings and goings
of our garden birds –
from the tiny gold crest
to the intimidating sparrowhawk.
So much to fascinate, amaze
and sometimes …
to sadden the heart.

Just one wee question, Lord –
are there birds in heaven?

© Claire Murray, 29th August 2021

As summer draws
to a close
we drive off one evening
to Greenore.

Such a still evening –
not even a breath of wind.
Lilac sky on the horizon
where it meets
a satin, lilac sea
so calm
that the water reaches the beach
silently.

I feel like I’m looking
at a painting of the sea.

Across Carlingford Lough
the Mournes are lightly veiled
in evening mist.

Peace all around.

Turning to walk back
we see the ragged silhouette
of the Cooley mountains
against a pink sky
that is striped
with burning orange –
breath-taking!

An evening which causes me
to stop and stare
awestruck
by the beauty and stillness
of this summer’s evening.
And Best of all
my family is with me
to share this wonder.

This is truly an evening
to still the soul –
thank you, Lord!

© Claire Murray, 24th August 2021

Days are shorter,
streets are thronged with children
in school uniforms
and we need to wear our waterproofs
once more –
autumn is definitely here!

But when we go for a drive
on Saturday
we seem to get a reprieve.

Down at Greenore
the waters of Carlingford Lough
sparkle
in blinding sunlight
and butterflies alight on flowers
as we pass.
A velvet black insect on the road
squares up to us
scorpion-like,
hind-quarters poised to strike.

In the distance
a buzzard hovers
over unsuspecting prey.
And as we dander along
our fingers are stickily stained
black and purple
from gathering handfuls
of juicy blackberries.

Eventually
shadows lengthen,
evening mists settle
on the Mournes beyond –
it’s time to go home.

Thank you, Lord,
for a glorious summer’s day
during autumn –
such a wonderful surprise!
A day that feels
like a tonic, somehow –
and now I now feel
more ready
to look ahead to autumn
and all that it may bring.

© Claire Murray, 20th September 2021

It’s our first ever autumn walk
in Ravensdale
beside magnificent conifers
that tower away, away up
into the sky.

The foxgloves of summer
have disappeared now
but fungus has happily
taken their place.

Toadstools of orange, brown and white
push their way
out of the earth.
Puffballs too,
smooth as an egg
or dimpled
like a child’s ball.
And inch-high fungus
growing like grass
on decaying logs,
wonderfully orange.

Black beetles abound,
glinting navy
in the sunlight
and a furry caterpillar,
orange and black
and very long,
feasts on lush, green leaves.

Cobwebs festoon gorse bushes,
intricate and complex
as the tarpaulined roof
of a multi-pointed circus tent –
such a feat of engineering!

Exploring forest paths,
old and new
and discovering the Glen Bridge
in a damp, shady glen
that is ancient as Cú Chulainn.

Thank you, Lord,
for precious family time
wandering through Ravensdale
and savouring the beauty
that surrounds us.
A wonderful distraction
from the life’s cares –
thank you, Lord!

© Claire Murray, 26th September 2021