"All around my hat"

Cherry

By lenchenelf

Thu, 26 May 2022
  • 800 reads
6 comments
 

 

 

Hood of foxglove, sprig of Yarrow,

Rosemary, or a Pheasants glory;

each herb, feather fall and sprig

in its season, chosen

on a battles' morn

would mark a Trayend bands'

spilt blood as right or wrong,

for those who pick and peck

among splintered beings

for bounty, or field signs

of loyalty

 

to giltmasters:

those who grip the land,

command you raise their standard.

 

Forced to grow on fallow ground,

your seed would no longer be sown

or follow a plow for own

levelling of this land.

 

 

 

Certificate PG
Poem
Camera Obscura
Opinion

Comments

Submitted by Kilb50 on

Lots to enjoy in this lenchenelf, esp 'would mark a Trayend band of spilt blood...' & the terrifying 'giltmasters' who 'grip the land.' The title intrigued me - the song by Steeleye Span came to mind. It complements the text very well as, like the song, there is an atmosphere of longing and waiting for 'lost glory' to return. 

 

Submitted by lenchenelf on

A field sign was often used to identify each other on the battlefield, tucked into a hat band or button hole. I believe uniforms were not standard issue for all the rag tag and bobtail, and of course depended on the personal wealth of their commanding officer especially those co-opted (polite term) into local miltia. :)

Best to you 

Lena x

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

Very much enjoyed when I read this earlier, but I would like to say (through gritted teeth) I haven't at all enjoyed that bloody song which has been playng on repeat in my head all day - grrr! 

 

Submitted by lenchenelf on

sorry and many thanks. 

funnily enough I finally got to see Maddy Prior only a few months ago smiley

best to you

Lena x

 

Submitted by marandina on

"...would mark a Trayend band.." I enjoyed the journey created in your poem. There's a sepia image of battlefields and conflict done so well. Paul 

 

Submitted by lenchenelf on

Very kind of you Paul.

best to you

Lena