Holywell Dingle in a Wet Winter

We went in the back end,
didn’t know we’d have to wend
through a
field like a paddy,
squishy mud to squelch
and puddles to paddle,
then, firmer ground where
sunshine catches
bright white patches
of decorating snow
(slow to go),
with dripping crystal edges.

We carefully climbed down a tussocky bank
where boots stuck and sank,
to
Holywell Dingle:
trees and noisy river mingle
(mature trunks, and spindly sapling),
sunlight filtering, and dappling;
slippy slopes with soggy litter,
mosses, ivy, fungus, holly;
down through the twiggy tangle look
at rushing twisting line of water:
tumblng, bumbling swollen brook;

exciting winter exploration,
plan now, with anticipation,
return in warmer weather –
access then should be much easier,
ceiling leafy, floor in flower …