No Mow May

The cutters stayed quiet. “No Mow May,” we were told. Long grass hid the cowslip, the marsh marigold. We walked on the Downs in the sun and the showers, Through a cascade of delicate, waving wildflowers.

The white ox-eye daisy, the blue columbine,

Wild orchids, cow parsley and fragrant wild thyme, Buttercups, knapweed, the violet harebell,

The fiery-red poppy and small pimpernel.

Then back to the A road, the dual carriageway, In the middle tall grasses and poppies held sway. Car drivers felt called from their slow-moving ride, To the hills and the views and the lush countryside.

Lucy Chester.