The Pollinators Trail

out of the ground on the edge of the scrub
crawls a little black bee not long from a grub
she warms her wings in the morning light
all ripe for flight
in brilliant bee delight

then out into the park she tastes the morning air
hunting the sweet nectar which awaits her there
and upon a simple breath of breeze
which drifts from across the town
she seeks out the source of that sumptuous scent
why it's a delectable daisy crown

so now it's time to spread your busy wings
with a skip and crazy bee-line
the next chapter of our story is waiting to be read
only a little way down the line

she crash lands upon the delectable daisy flower
a white fringed golden pad on a perfect green stem
nodding in the grass
a dazzling winking gem

and the juice is so ripe
she sips deep from the cup
reaching through all the flowers' pollen grains
which stick to her legs as she treads them up

then again to the next with a buzz and a curve
she hops between blooms with a typical bee-line swerve

all day she dances sipping daisy crowns
from the edge of the park to the topside of town
following this path which we now walk down

so spread your tiny busy wings
with a skip and crazy bee-line
the next chapter of our story is waiting to be read
only a little way down the line

after a night hidden in her burrow
she wakes bright for the first light of tomorrow
but the wind is harsh and the rain is strong
so she waits and waits and waits till it's gone

then finally the day after the day after next
the sun is bright and the weather just perfect
and today there is a new scent on the air
so she stretches her wings and leaves her lair

then out into the park she hunts this fresh treasure
seeking the source of the sumptuous scent
chasing the sweet nectar as it drifts across the town
and settles upon the gold of a buttercup crown

so spread your tiny busy wings
with a skip and crazy bee-line
the next chapter of our story is waiting to be read
only a little way down the line

all day she dances sipping buttercup crowns
from the edge of the park to the topside of town
following this path which we now walk down

and the juice is so ripe
she drinks deep from the cup
reaching through all the flowers' pollen grains
which stick to her legs as she treads them up

and whilst she feeds the pollen gets blended
transferred on bee legs from stem to stem
as she hops from buttercup again and again

and the plant is so pleased with the delivery of pollen
for with it her fruit can finally grow
and germinate seedlings for her children of tomorrow
this is the trade from bee through to fruit
why, who knew that these insects were both useful and cute!

so spread your tiny busy wings
with a skip and crazy bee-line
the next chapter of our story is waiting to be read
only a little way down the line

today the blossom is on the wind
she climbs high in the trees to drink it all in
and hops from flower to flower to flower
across the park hour after hour

from tree to tree the pollen is lifted
on hairy legs it is shifted and then gifted
where it melds and grows with the new host flower
this ancient chemistry to grow fresh fruit
but all so dependent upon these fabulous insect troops

but then a swift flutter comes fast from the branches
the bee dips down as the hungry bird lunges
sees the bee as a tasty snack
one peck with its beak
she can swallow her back

but the bee is lucky and the little bird misses
tasty tree blossom has both curses and kisses
this little bee is blessed and slips swiftly away
for another flower and another day

so spread your tiny busy wings
with a skip and crazy bee-line
the next chapter of our story is waiting to be read
only a little way down the line

The trail path curves in bee-line flight
from the first dawn of day to the close of daylight
so go follow the path now and count every flower
protruding from the grass on their tiny green towers

each ready and ripe for pollination
holding tall as a landing pad and bee stop station
the flower nectar lures with a tasty treat
and the pollen gets transferred on the bees legs and feet
then the petals fall as germination begins

to eventually fruit into berries, nuts and seeds
apples, coffee, cotton and cherries
dandelion clocks and delicious strawberries
and each and every single fruit
pollinated by an insect on its foraging route

so run the circular bed path and make a wish
on salted cashew nuts and coconut creams
blueberry muffins and lemon tarts
a picnic of delights set out beneath the trees
all treats made possible by wasps, moths and bees

The End

now to seal this spell and drink the blossom in right
spread your bee wings and prepare to take flight
weaving the flower beds
stretching your arms
counting 99 steps to magic this charm
and if 99 paces are counted exact
your wish will come true
that is a fact

walk the circular path around the flower bed in exactly 99 steps
and your wish will be gifted with immediate effect

The annual National Trust Blossom festival runs through late April each year celebrating flowering trees in our parks, gardens and wild spaces. This Storywalk has been sponsored by the trust this year to provide 'The Pollinators Trail' hoping to bring you a little closer to the beauty of our insect world and how their lives are intricately woven into ours through the fruiting cycles of plants.

More about the festival can be found on the National Trust website.

Storywalks are written and compiled by Christopher Jelley of Seven Fables Dulverton a haven of inspiration on Exmoor.

Heritage Storywalk trails along the England Coast Path can be found here England Coast Path.

For commissions and more about Mr Jelley see Jelley.info