Lincoln’s grandson, Crispin, was as small as a Coffee Crisp bar when I first saw him. He has moved into the woodshed and gets fed most mornings. Unsalted sunflower seeds, hazelnuts, and walnuts are some of his favourite foods.

But in these weeks of drought we’ve had, the most important thing is to have water handy.

I thank you for the sunflower seeds,

Its flavour none can match,

But now my throat is parched and needs 

Some liquid down the hatch.

I think there’s water in that tub,

Enough for several sips,

No need to dive in like a sub,

Just need to to wet my lips.

I’ll take one long last look around,

To watch for owl and hawk,

To be scooped up if I were found,

Would be an awful shock.

So quickly now, I steal a slurp ,

Then check again for trouble,

Another slurp and then a burp,

And head out on the double.

But first I have to greet my gal,

Who brings me all this stuff,

I’m lucky she is such a pal,

I can’t thank her enough.