Timeless Wonder

Gold cherry

By skinner_jennifer

Thu, 01 Jul 2021
  • 4322 reads
22 comments
 

A walk along the Ridgeway

and up to Barbury Castle in Wiltshire.

 

 

In fields of wheat a promise growing,

waiting quietly etched on landscape

between those meadows poised;

delicate colours sweeping breezes,

long after dew leaves early freshness;

feeling drops of summer rain that lingers.

 

Up on ridge of isolation, quietness simmers;

tracing many individual footsteps taken,

hearing only sound of buzzing...notably

awaking those scattering spores, that brush

free through air releasing nature's pollen.

 

Attention for now not scattered,

but focused on climbing up where

stillness of view lies undemanding,

awaiting trace ambiance to

long past commemoration,

 

stirring breathless boundaries

of Castle's history;

sleeping ditches once beat rapidly,

pulsing land where overgrown hidden

recollections pale over time.

 

Did sentient families once with determined strength,

strive accompanied by handmade tools, issue crops to

emanate? Hoping moon would guide the way when

peeping from behind dark clouds, up here where ground

is steeped in timeless wonder, only dead now really understand.

Certificate U
Poem
Nature

Comments

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

You're so good at describing the nature around you - thank you for this one Jenny

 

Submitted by marandina on

"...only dead now really understand." I was right there with you, Jenny.

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

"stillness of view lies undemanding," I love this, also

"stirring breathless boundaries

of Castle's history;

sleeping ditches once beat rapidly,"

How you so brilliantly dive through the present into the past, making splashes of magic with your words

 

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

I think we were once there in cowslip time - such rich yellow where a lot grow undisturbed. It's good you are able to go walking again in such countryside. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

It's a pleasure to share poetry here on abc tales. Thank you so much for your kind words insert, they mean a lot.

Many thanks for the lovely cherries too.

Jenny. smiley

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Paul,

glad you caught the meaning behind those last words. It's so amazing how those people survived,  probably under very harsh conditions too.

Thank you so much for reading and sharing your thoughts.

Jenny. smiley

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

I had a lot of fun writing this poem Di, it felt so good to be once again active enough to climb up to Barbury Castle, though I can't see myself making the climb again any time soon.

You picked up on some of my favourite lines. My partner knows more about the history of Barbury Castle, so he was able to answer most questions I would ask and is always keen to talk.

Thank you for reading and letting me know you enjoyed this poem.

Jenny. smiley

 

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi there Rhiannon,

I'm sure I recall you telling me about your visit here, or it could have been to the White Horse. I'm a bit like you unable to get out much these days, but for some reason this day I felt active enough to walk, but my legs and feet were really aching and I could hardly move when I got home, just glad my partner was driving.

The view up there is so amazing and there weren't that many people around, so it was very quiet with just nature's sounds to hear.

I really hope you can manage to get out and about. But I completely understand how hard it must be.

Hope you take care and thank you for the read and your thoughts.

Jenny. smiley

 

Submitted by jeand on

Hi Jenny

I enjoyed reading this peom, Jenny. It reminded me of when my son and I walked on the Ridgeway a few years ago now.  Certainly the dead are very much part of the mystery of the area.

Jean Day

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Trevor,

your comment was most interesting to read, you are so right about the hard work put in to create such an amazing landscape. Also their achievements are beyond comprehension, and the fact that they had to have a good harvest, otherwise they'd have starved. How today we take for granted the fact we can just walk into a shop and get prepared meals.

I'm glad you got to go on many of England's beautiful walks, always a bonus to walk them while you're younger and fitter I find.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read and share your thoughts. I'm glad you enjoyed reading this poem. smiley

Jenny.

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Jean,

I remember you asking me about how to get to the Ridgeway. I'm so glad you did finally get here and hope you enjoyed time roaming this part of the world.

Like you say those people that created the landscape are still very much part of such beauty, and although it's owned by the Council, I still consider it to be more a historical legacy from a people who had so much talent.

Thank you for reading and letting me know you liked.

Jenny. smiley

 

Submitted by airyfairy on

That last verse is particularly wonderful, Jenny, but the rest of it does such a brilliant job of conveying the sight and feel of the landscape, and its timelessness. It's so fascinating to think about whose footsteps we might be walking in. Thank you for posting this.

Submitted by airyfairy on

This beautiful poem is our Facebook and Twitter Pick of the Day! Please do share/retweet if you enjoy it too.

Picture: Pixabay Creative Commons

Submitted by Ross_Lowe on

 "where stillness of view lies undemanding" is just beautiful.

A smashing poem, Jen. Really evocative of the countryside I miss so much at the moment, and all the more welcome for it.

Thanks for sharing it with us.

 

Submitted by Hades502 on

I should say another, another great one, better than good. I really enjoy reading your stuff, Jenny. My apologies that I usually only get to one of them every time I get on the site. Congratulations on the cherries.

GGHades502

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi there Airyfairy. What a wonderful surprise to tune into this morning. smiley To get pick of the day is the best feeling. It's my birthday on Monday, so this is like an early gift. Thank you so much.

I'm also glad you enjoyed reading. I too always wonder about the footsteps I could be walking in on such ancient ground, also wondering about their way of life and how they lived.

Thank you again for those wonderful gold cherries, they made my day.

Jenny. Big smiles again from me. smiley

P.S. Thank you so much for that wonderful picture too.

 

Submitted by airyfairy on

Happy Birthday for Monday! Hope you have a lovely day xx

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi there Ross,

your comment is very welcome and I'm glad I could bring so fresh countryside air to you. I too don't get to go out that much these days, but this was a one off where all the conditions seemed right for a walk, including my fitness, which has a lot to be desired...she says smiling. smiley

I hope you manage to get out where its peaceful and quiet, and the scenery is calm and amazing to look at.

Thank you so much for reading and putting a smile on my face with your words.

Jenny. smiley

 

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Your comments are always welcome Hades. Please don't worry about how many you read, it's just nice to know any of my poems give you pleasure. 

I very much appreciate your feedback on this poem, it makes writing even more pleasurable to get such a positive response.

Many thanks again.

Jenny. smiley

 

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Thank you for the Birthday Greetings Airyfairy. 

Jenny. smiley

 

Submitted by Penny4athought on

I've just read your lovely poem and you do have a talent whipping words into vivid expression that takes us on your journey. I stood on the hill and felt the winds that swayed the wheat fields and watched the colors of the day curious too of those past occupants. So beautifully written.

WISHING YOU A VERY HAPPY AND JOYFUL BIRTHDAY JENNY, Carpe Diem !smiley

Penny4athought

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Penny,

I'm warmed by your caring words. Isn't it nice to be in harmony with nature? It's what brings us all closer, especially as writers. I always feel rejuvenated after going up on the Ridgeway where the pace of life is so calming.

Thank you for stopping by to read and let me know you liked. Also your kind good wishes, which are very welcome. 

Thank you again.

Jenny. smiley