Charming Worms

I don't mean worms are charming
though, of course, they're rather sweet
and if you're a mole or a hedgehog
then you'll find them good to eat -

no - to 'charm' worms is to tempt them
to come up - let me explain:
you encourage them to surface
when you make them think you're rain.

From Charming Worms, © Celia Warren 2013
(to appear in full in my collection for 7s and under, Don't Poke a Worm Till it Wriggles, due out next March.)

As one who has written dozens of poems about the humble earthworm, I was excited to attend my very first Worm Charming Festival. It was held just down the road in our neighbouring village, Blackawton, in the South Hams of Devon.

There was an offical cheat as well as an official judge. No-one was allowed to enter until they had publicly drunk some of any liquid they planned to use. There were nigh on 100 entrants to the contest, so much stamping and pouring and drumming going on. One contestant played her bassoon.

As well as the main event, there were sidestalls, donkey rides, maypole and morris dancers, stalls and barbecues, a wizard in a wormy cloak and even a dog show! Something for everyone - and all crowned in sunshine. And scattered along the procession route were big buckets, painted and decorated by the youngest members of Blackawton School. These had slits in the top for donations towards Devon Air Amubulance. (There was to be a prize for the most popular bucket, judged by its takings.)

Wish I could have posted half a dozen images today. But this one shows about half of the entrants mid-charming-procedure. I left the field and clambered up the bank, balancing precariously, to take this one. Shows off the lovely surrounding Devon countryside, too.

English bank holidays at their batty best, I'd say!

PS Just realised that this is my 900th consecutive blip!