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I was walking through a fairly busy Weymouth town centre when I heard a shrill chirruping. It was so loud I thought it must be a child with one of those whistles that imitates birds. I looked but I couldn’t spot the culprit – until I noticed a tiny bird ‘bouncing’ down the street, weaving in and out of the shoppers.
I couldn’t believe that such a loud sound was coming from something so small. I opened the Merlin App on my phone, which identifies birds by their call. It suggested the call was that of a White Wagtail. Apparently they’ve adapted well to urban areas and likes particular to nest in crevices in stone walls and similar human-made structures and forage in paved areas.
It was practically sprinting down the shopping precinct and I had to pretty much jog to keep up.
I wanted a photo as it seemed so out of place but all I could get was a shot of it’s back. Every time I got ahead it would turn around and teasingly show me it’s tail.
Later at home, I looked on the internet and realised I needed the back view was exactly what I needed. It wasn’t a White Wagtail it was a far more common Piebald Wagtail, distinguishable by it’s ‘dark smokey’ back and known for dashing about, wagging it’s tail as it goes.
Common or rare it felt good to pause and share a moment with this inquisitive chap – one of God’s incredible creatures.

Just the day before my mum had shared the poem ‘Leisure’ by WH Davies …

What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.

No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep or cows.

No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.

No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night.

No time to turn at Beauty’s glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance.

No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began.

A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.

An analysis of the poem suggests that Davies was pointing out that a life burdened by constant worry and busyness is a poor one if you don’t take time to appreciate the beauty of nature and simple moments. The poem asks what the point of life is if we are too preoccupied with our cares to “stand and stare” at nature’s wonders, like watching squirrels or streams full of sunlight (or Piebald Wagtails in a town centre). It is a plea to slow down and enjoy the world around us, finding richness in simple observations rather than endless striving.
A lesson I seem to keep having to relearn but I am determined to do better!

***

I know it’s a bit of a leap in my thinking, but I read an article the other day about how the best way to honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice and gave their life in the pursuit of peace is to stop for two minutes and remember them.

Can I take this opportunity to remind you that that is exactly what we’ll be doing next Sunday, 9 November, in our Remembrance Service at St Oswald’s Church. The service will start slightly later than usual, at 10.30am, so we can join people across the UK in observing the two-minute silence at 11am.