TODAY I SAW ANOTHER DEAD BADGER
I want to see a badger that's not dead;
Not tossed to the roadside by a passing car;
Not flattened by tyres or eaten by carrion crows.
I want to see a badger that's not dead.
I want to see a badger that's not dead.
A badger nosing and snuffling among the leaves;
A badger busy doing badgery things.
I want to see a badger that's not dead.
I want to see a badger that's not dead.
A badger digging with great horny hands;
Upturning stones and rocks and chalk and soil.
I want to see a badger that's not dead.
I want to see a badger that's not dead.
A living badger, leading its badgerly life;
A badger playing badger games in moonlight.
I want to see a badger that's not dead.
I've never seen a badger that's not dead.
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That's a shame. There's plenty of them around but they tend to come out in the evening. I'm sure if you see dead ones there will be a local badger appreciation society who will tell you were to look for live ones. Don't upset one though. They are quite vicious. The one's I've seen have been rather, well, mucky.
ReplyDeleteWelcome home. I trust you enjoyed the cruise.
Thanks, Graham. There are lots where we ride - we see their setts - but only the dead are visible. Sad.
DeleteIt always saddens me to see a dad animal by the roadside, it is just so unfair, isn't it - badgers, foxes, hedgehogs, rabbits, hares, deer, pheasant, cats, squirrels; none of them are a match for cars whizzing by and there are simply way too many of them (cars, not animals!), and too fast they're going as well.
ReplyDeleteBut what can be done? This is the lifestyle the majority of people have happily been embracing for the past decades, and I doubt there will be a major change for the better anytime soon.
Anyway - welcome back from your holiday!
Thanks, Meike. We're off again now as my youngest son is getting married in Italy. I'll visit other blogs when I get back.
DeleteThat really touched me, Frances - I have never seen a live badger, but have seen plenty of dead ones at the side of the road. So sad, particularly at this time of year when they are feeding young xx
ReplyDeleteThanks, Teresa. Yes, I thought of all those orphaned babies too. Very sad.
DeleteAn excellent comeback post.
ReplyDeleteThere are some here as I can see where they have dug up a bee's nest. They can get a bit funny with the dogs so I'll be careful tracking them down. I have never got a picture of one. Be a good project.
Go on, Adrian. Look on it as a challenge! My come back is brief as I'm off again for my son's wedding in Puglia, but hope to post more when I get home.
DeleteI used to live in the country and we had a badger sett on our farm but like you, Frances, I have never seen a live badger in spite of going badger watching in the evenings. I too have seen only dead ones.
ReplyDeleteAt least you've tried, Lindsay. I've never been badger watching. Maybe I should give it a try!
ReplyDeleteIn the U.S. it's opossums and raccoons.
ReplyDeleteAnd in Australia, apparently, kangaroos. But at least we've all seen a kangaroo alive!
DeleteI've only ever seen live badgers on the TV, and kangaroos for that matter!
ReplyDeleteWell, I haven't seen any badger in real life yet, dead or alive, but I agree with your sentiments, Frances! Hope you had a good holiday.
ReplyDeleteI've never seen a live badger but plenty of dead ones .
ReplyDeleteThank you, Maggie, Rosemary and Wendy. Excuse no individual replies - just back from son's wedding in Italy and very Easyjet-lagged!
ReplyDelete