A SUMMERS DAY
High humidity fills the air
Heat oppressive, hard to bear
What is to come?
Suddenly thunder rends the air
Gusts of wind at branches tear
Dislodging leaves.
Darkening clouds, a storm is nigh
Flashes of lightening from an angry
sky
Imminent is the raid.
Flowers sodden, compressed to the
ground
Cascading foliage wet, from soggy
mounds
The storm has arrived.
Ranging from the heavens above
Elements of nature imposed on us
Fearful down below.
The disturbance abates, damage
done
Clearing sky displays a watery sun
Summer is here.
June Taylor, Woodham Village

TREES
When walking in the countryside
I look around at all of our trees.
There are so many of them
An amazing variety of species.
The smooth grey bark of the beech
tree
Sometimes displaying a large gash of
a mouth
And a huge lump for a nose.
Also in their faces, at times, two holes
for eyes,
Watching wherever one goes.
Then there is the grandeur of the large
English oak,
planted by jays years ago.
The wood later used to build wooden
war ships
And fought the Spanish at Plymouth
Hoe.
But also theyre maples, sycamores,
willows,
Ash and holly too.
Many species of fir trees also alders
and yew.
In Autumn some leaves turn yellow,
red and gold.
A truly delightful sight to behold.
But with leaves lost in winter, they
stand bleak and bare
Then in spring bursting into life
everywhere.
Trees have given us firewood,
transport, homes of all kind.
Our lifeline through thousands of
years.
Food for animals and birds and
shelter too.
Weapons for crossbows and spears.
For centuries they have given us so
much in country and town.
We should look after them and protect
them and not cut them down.
Diana Davis, Witton-le-Wear

DARLO
Its not long since Wembley
Northern League our new assembly
Expectations new seasons brings
How good are the pies and things
New teams at Auckland and away
Outcome is hard to say
Dont go to Bishop and boo
Not real fans if you do.
Teddy Cooper, Darlington