Today reminded me of a hot summers day in London, in the 1960's when i was sunbathing on Hampstead heath. A light breeze was blowing and a small shimmering feather came tumbling across the grass towards me, stopping just inches from my face.
Through the bright sunshine i studied the sheen and ribs of the delicate structures, and thought of the everyday things in our world that we ignore and take for granted.
Returning to my bedsit that night i penned the following verse.
In the past you've had you're use, for weapons of war and for signing the truce.
A delicate part with a lovely sheen your natural purpose no one can deny, indeed man thought how else can one fly ?
Through the years he conquered that, and now i write your epitaph, but wait your life has not gone yet, you can help the angler fill his net.
No frontier can bar your way, i doubt if man will see that day.
Unlike us you need not apply, for passports or visa's but, just take off and fly.
Your value to man is unlike lead but he forgets where he rests his head, from mankind your thanks is due, I'll remember that - when i rest on you !
The photo is of a feather from the Pen (female Swan) which i picked up the other day. She has now moulted and will be flightless for the next 6 weeks. The Cob ( male Swan ) is now more aggressive than usual because he has the responsibilty of the 8 cygnets and also a flightless Pen to guard as well !
He will always place himself between any threat and his family, so beware !
Nature and evolution has worked wonders, so that the Pen and Cob lose their flight feathers at different times in order that one of them can always fly to defend their young. When the Pen is flying again the Cob will shed his old flight feathers in about 6 weeks time.
The feather above was the type of writing tool used for over a thousand years until about 1810.
Hence the name Quill Pen.
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