My outlet in times of trouble

By Mark Heathcote

Sat, 18 Dec 2021
  • 511 reads
4 comments
 

Natures my outlet in times of trouble
when I want to get away from the news,
that COVID-19 self-isolation bubble,
rivers and long canal walk lift my blues.
They're an artery to a heartland,
only a soul's inner peace can understand.

It's my outlet when I see those gowns-of-white
gloved-and-masked - taking on-the-task
of saving lives, walking avenues of lime-
trees in a mindful and elegiac-
stride, writing some blank verse from time to time,
as I ponder how nature is sublime.

It's surreal all the changes we've had,
all that's now forbidden, we took-for-granted
but truly in-other ways, I'm just-glad
holding one dear hand in mine supplanted
knowing-really nothing is-decided
however, the future gets lopsided.

It's in our grasp to hold this stinging-nettle
dull its sting by admiring everything,
it's in our courage, our hearts-metal
to fight fatigue tooth-and-nail with every limb,
recalling all that's perished before us
once more rises in spring beauteous.

Certificate U
Poem

Comments

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

You speak words in this poem that are close to my own heart, especially in that first stanza. Yes! Nature is so important, even thinking about it puts a cheery smile on my face, as did your words of wisdom shine in this poem.

Thank you.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

Hi Mark could you please get in touch about the pics you've used in previous poems? I've asked you several times for confirmation that they're copyright free but recieved no reply. If you prefer to email me it's claudine@abctales.com. If we don't hear from you by tomorrow we will have to go through them and remove the pics. thanks

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

Like Jenny,  your first stanza struck a chord with me, also "dull its sting by admiring everything," is great advice!

 

Submitted by Yutka on

we all can identify with the essence of your poem, nature is the greatest of healers,  already Hippokrates, the great Greek philosopher knew about it. I like your imagery, "They're an artery to a heartland" and "grasp to hold this stinging-nettle". While walking with you along the lime trees, the reader might guess the sensibility of your heart, and may be, its sparks also help healing in these dark times....