Highgate Wood

Ancient woodland
           hornbeam holly and oak
new growth shooting up
           alongside the deadwood
fungi feeding on the carcasses 
          of fallen trees

At night bats
           have the run of the place
– pipistrelles – natterers –
           and common noctules

but by day the dogs
           are out in force
dragging their owners
           by the lead
kicking up the dirt
           as they go

John Lyons

Revised from earlier post