Polypody polypody

Springing from the dyke,

Polypody polypody

Nestling in the soft moss,

Polypody polypody

High up in the tree.

Hawthorn – old thorn,

Home to our fern,

Crab-apple , beech tree,

Oak, ash and elder;

Glimpsed through ivy –

On gatepost, gryke and dry-stone wall

Chinks in lime mortar and wizend bark –

Your laddered fronds wavering in the wind.

Polypody polypody

Weathering the storm,

Polypody polypody

Withering in drought,

Polypody polypody

Frozen hard in winter,

Polypody polypody

Brightest green in spring.