After the blackbirds and robins fledge <br />Its time for me to cut the hedge <br />An enormous beast, it has grown <br />Twelve foot high as time has flown <br /> <br />Extending ladders propped against the side <br />Up I get with no place to hide <br />Gloves on and hedge trimmer whirring away <br />The work takes up most of the day <br /> <br />To trim it back to reasonable proportions <br />And after taking all safety precautions <br />So, yes I think you're quite right to ask <br />It is indeed a gigantic task <br /> <br />One I used to carry out three times a year <br />When my hands used to move in a sort of a blur <br />Now, as age has extorted its price <br />I only manage to cut it twice <br /> <br />But when I'm finished I feel pretty good <br />Until I realise that feeling's a dud <br />For another task now awaits my attention <br />Sweeping up the cuttings not to mention <br /> <br />Bagging the lot and taking to tip <br />I feel like lying down and having a kip <br />To regain my strength and rest my patella <br />Next year I think I'll employ a tree feller<br /><br />Paul Gerard Reed<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/cutting-the-hedge/
