Edward Thomas- ' Birds' Nests'

I was walking in the bare February countryside at the weekend and remembered this poem from the best of nature poets- Edward Thomas.

Birds' Nests

The summer nests uncovered by autumn wind,

Some torn, others dislodged, all dark,

Everyone sees them: low or high in tree,

Or hedge, or single bush, they hang like a mark.

Since there's no need of eyes to see them with

I cannot help a little shame

That I missed most, even at eye's level, till

The leaves blew off and made the seeing no game.

'Tis a light pang. I like to see the nests

Still in their places, now first known,

At home and by far roads. Boys knew them not,

Whatever jays and squirrels may have done.

And most I like the winter nests deep-hid

That leaves and berries fell into:

Once a dormouse dined there on hazel-nuts,

And grass and goose-grass seeds found soil and grew. 

Edward Thomas