My response today to Doris Emmett’s Post-a-Day for May.

THE HERMIT
by John Yeo

The hermit sat in some welcome shade,
Sunshine lit up the forest corners,
Nobody ever visited this secret glade.
–
With a gentle breeze the branches swayed,
A sparkling stream with cool clear waters,
The hermit sat in some welcome shade.
–
Wild birds sang and approached unafraid
Colourful, friendly, social performers,
Nobody ever visited this secret glade.
–
Deer who grazed here never strayed
Far from this glades secret borders,
The hermit sat in some welcome shade.
–
Butterflies fluttered and Rabbits played,
Sheltered safely from their predators
Nobody ever visited this secret glade.

After he swapped the old life he had made
For a solitary life to escape his oppressors. 
The hermit sat in some welcome shade
Nobody ever visited this secret glade.

©️ John Yeo