A time of poppies

A time of poppies

In profusion

Petals tumbling

Dripping blood red

Rivers flow endlessly

Muddied in shallows

Stick-dried in hot sun

Snapping like twigs

Brambles are prisons

Organic barbs

Tearing at soft

Puppy-dog skin

Digging deep

Wicked claws

Holding tight

Laying claim

To reckless trespassers

Itinerant vagabonds

Surprised ramblers

Sporting vacant expressions

Press-ganged innocents abroad

Bumptious Colonel Bogey’s

Burning bridges

Footslogging

Backpackers

Whistling out of tune

Forever autumn

Until christmas