This England

Gold cherry

By marandina

Thu, 12 Oct 2023
  • 1596 reads
17 comments
 

Audio version at: https://soundcloud.com/user-62051685/this-england

 

This England

Ancient land of myths and legend

where a man once pulled

a mighty sword from a stone

and spells were cast.

 

Donne’s sonorous bell - tolling,

grey-stoned church towers,

can one man be an island

on a green and sceptred isle?

 

Searchlights on concrete bunkers

combing iridescent seas,

scanning for ghosts from wartime;

only sailing boats now.

 

High over cliff tops, hovering,

hawks suspended, hunting,

hearing songs of Vera,

echoes of some sunny days.

 

Rain glistening in dew drops,

verdant fields awaiting harvest

far away from graffiti cities,

lives intertwine in diaspora.

 

Languorous dreams, urban wonder

dreamt in classrooms,

arcane promises of success

atrophied in red-brick buildings.

 

Our Albion, our shared heritage,

our hopes dormant

waiting for a dragon’s return

to face its Saint George.

 

Image free to use at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Cliffs_of_Dover#/media/File:White_Cl...

Certificate U
Poem
Miscellaneous Poems
Spiritual

Comments

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

You've written such a great poem here Paul, such a tribute to England...makes me proud to live on this island and call myself British.

Skillfully worded.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by marandina on

That's kind of you, Jenny. Lots to be proud of and lots to be done in dear old Blighty. We are lucky to live here, though. 

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

A dreamy love of your countryside and heritage. Our land (well, I do live in England now, and anyway, the same is true of Wales) has been very blessed, with peace and good rule influenced by Biblical Christianity (ie not an unbalanced cultic Christianity), and by a mild and moderate climate, too!

You note the problems of industrialization, but seem to think we can fight off new evils. I hope so, but we need to see where our strength is! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading, Rhiannon. It's a temperate land with many beauty spots. Bearing in mind many of the travails around the world at the moment, we should be thankful for the prevailing liberalism that pervades compared to politics elsewhere. 

 

Submitted by celticman on

you've pouured centures into so few words. Bravo!

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading, CM. It's a gloriously rich history we share across the British Isles. Can't do it justice in a few lines but maybe the gist is in there. 

 

Submitted by lenchenelf on

...like cut apples, to preserve colour when exposed to air.

Tart, Paul, very sharp :)

Nicely done.

best

L xx

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading, Lena. We all hope for a better future for the young ones. Just wanting those in power to do the right thing. 

 

Submitted by Kris on

yesyes.....Dam Paul.... IMO... I would sound cloud that.... (beautiful)*...

 

Submitted by marandina on

Cheers, Kris. I haven't done an audio in a while. That's a good shout. 

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

In a time of political turmoil and party conferences in England, this Poet's take on his country is Pick of the Day. Please do share if you can

 

Submitted by marandina on

Oh thank you, so much Di. Made up that people seemed to like this one :) 

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

Oh yes, please do an audio version of this. You've really hit the spot with this beautiful poem, as you can see from the comments and all the cherries - well done!

 

Submitted by marandina on

Ah thanks insert. Will add an audio version over the weekend... 

 

Submitted by jeand on

Hi Paul

This poem has a nice rhythym pattern.  It sounds patriotic even without the words

Jean Day

Submitted by marandina on

Oh thanks for reading it, Jean. 

Who needs words when you have patriotism? Well, summat like that :) 

 

Submitted by marandina on

Audio version added at: https://soundcloud.com/user-62051685/this-england