Langdale Pikes In Winter

Gold cherry

By skinner_jennifer

Mon, 14 Dec 2020
  • 4839 reads
27 comments
 

If I was young and fit again

following what purpose sways,

like hungry walkers task

awakens emergence,

 

in same way Snow Bunting

searching unconcerned with

elusive warmth, perhaps

ramblers consider relief,

 

together in tune with tough

little bird, where trust

encompasses journey

draped in winter shroud,

 

my active body would be

strong like trunk of tree,

boughs bendy but will not break;

limbs soldiering on though they ache,

 

seeking to survive, pausing...gazing;

perhaps soothed by cloistered pride,

Wainwright knew majestic mountains

and hills unleashing mighty storms,

 

where snow flakes kissed the wind,

dancing in a flurry of season's passion;

while white blanket leaves delicate shivers,

shadows silently sweeping this untamed earth.

 

Pixabay free photo.

Certificate U
Poem
Nature

Comments

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

It's interesting to imagine being young and fitter again, isn't it? You inspired me to look up a bit about Snow Buntings

 I like the image of a tough, bendy body, limbs soldiering on though they ache, Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Mark Burrow on

Skilfully done.

This powerful poem about ageing and nature is our Facebook and Twitter Pick of the Day -- please do share. 

 

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

Great piece Jenny - congratulations on the golden cherries. I don't know if you're on twitter at all, but this poem is proving extremely popular there! (it's being retweeted lots)

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

I love the last line! Also how you think of the tiny moving warmth of the snowbunting in that huge openness, its heart beating under the sky. And "delicate shivers" is wonderful, too, made my back tingle, The idea of how old the mountains are, compared to how old you are, the difference between you and the snowbunting

 

Submitted by celticman on

I'm younger and fitter too. (Nah, I'm not, but hey we can all dream). Keep at it Jenny. 

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Rhiannon, it's exciting to just imagine walking in such a landscape. There once was a time when I could have attempted the trek, but sadly it's not possible any longer.  Glad that it inspired you to look up the snow bunting, such a pretty little bird that loves the snow.

Thank you so much for stopping by to read and leave a comment.

Jenny. smiley

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Mark,

what an amazing unexpected surprise to recieve those gold cherries. I'm over the moon.

Thank you so much and I'm glad you thought it was skillfully done, something I always try and aim for.

Very happy indeed. smiley

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Mark Burrow on

Well, it's superb! It was the last stanza especially that did it for me. Great stuff. 

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi insert,

no I'm not on twitter or facebook, so had no idea of the many retweets, but thank you for letting me know, had no idea it would resonate with so many.

Thank you for your lovely comment and for the thumbs up. yes

Jenny. smiley

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hello Di,

it always amazes me how you read and understand poems so well. Each fine detail is picked out and looked at deeply, which is so heart warming and makes writing so worth while.

This was a fun poem to write and I do so appreciate your comments.

Thank you so much.

Jenny. smiley

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Jack,

thanks so much for reading. Just glad I was fit once upon a time. wink

I will keep enjoying writing and hope you do too.

Take care.

Jenny. smiley

 

 

Submitted by marandina on

Lovely, just lovely. Congrats on POTD!

 

Submitted by seashore on

Beautifully done, Jenny.  Lovely poem.

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Thumbs up indeed, dear Jenny. Well done on Pick of the Day. yes
Your poem brought to mind my younger days when I walked up the Italian Alps like a mountain goat.
Nowadays my walking is on flatter surfaces.

Take care, Luigi xx

 

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Thanks again for popping by Mark. 

Jenny. smiley

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Paul,

I had a lot of fun writing this poem. I think Wainwright had the right idea when he decided to create his walks, some wonderful views were to be had on that journey, though I've only captured them in pictures, and gone there in my imagination.

Glad you enjoyed the read and thank you so much for the congrats.

Jenny. smiley

 

Submitted by Nolan on

Where do the "Pikes" come in Jenny? I read about them at school they sounded very big strong and fierce viscous and not good for eating. And in such calm and placid fresh waters.

There's nothing like that here. Only tigerfish but they are way off north more subtropics.and in the big rivers, Much worse customer actually great sport.  Probably got the whole story wrong in anycase. Went off on a tangent.

Keep well & Nolan

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

That's lovely of you to pop by Coral. It's always nice to hear from you. I think we could all do with those hills and mountains, all that fresh air and space at the moment.

Glad you enjoyed reading and hope I could take you there...if only in words. wink

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, always appreciated.

Take care.

Jenny. x smiley

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Ah! Luigi! Those days of climbing the Italian alps like a mountain goat when younger must have been spectacular. I recall from  my time spent in Northern Italy in the 1970s how steep some of the alps could get. Now those must have been some amazing memories.

I appreciate the thumbs up for this poem and I'm glad I could take you back, which is always nice to hear. Many thanks for letting me know.

Jenny. xx smiley

 

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Nolan,

I've just been over to Wikipedia, and it reads:- Langdale Pikes form a raised rocky parapet. Pike Of Stickles rises steeply from Langdale, culminating in a narrow tapering summit which gives excellent views of the head of the valley. So really has nothing to do with fish, but I can understand why you might have thought it was.

It's lovely to hear from you and read your comment.

Thank you for stopping by and you keep well too.

Jenny. smiley

 

 

Submitted by Nolan on

Thanks Jenny! They taught us at university those days there is no stupid question, only not to ask. Thanks for the invitation, I will keep on popping up regularly!

& Nolan

 

Submitted by airyfairy on

Jenny, this is fabulous, and it's resonated with so many people, including me!  I've never been to Langdale Pike, but it took me back to walks in the Derbyshire dales.  I miss the vigour of the old days, but it's lovely to have the memories returned so brilliantly.  Thank you for this.

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Many thanks for your kind comment Airyfairy. If I can transport you back to the Deryshire Dales, then writing this poem made it all worth while. 

I've been to the Yorkshire Dales and that was incredible, such beautiful landscape.

I have also never been to Langdale Pikes, but it's nice to dream!! wink

Thank you again.

Jenny. smiley

 

Submitted by onemorething on

Beautiful images, Jenny, love this one. :) 

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Thank you so much for your kind comment Rachel, it's much appreciated.

Jenny. smiley

 

Submitted by jeand on

Hi Jenny

This is so beautiful it almost makes me wish winter would come again soon. You do have a very nice way with words.

Jean Day

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Jean,

appreciate you stopping by to read this poem. I have to say, can't wait for Autumn and Winter, I much prefer the cold these days, can't cope with humid or hot conditions, yet when I was younger I loved the sun, now I tend to stay in if it's too hot.

It's always nice to hear from you and enjoy reading your comments.

Many thanks,

Jenny.