Ysgyryd Fawr/Skirrid …

Cherry

By Rhiannonw

Sat, 04 Oct 2014
  • 4817 reads
15 comments
 

… sliced off the Black Mountains,
solitary sentinel,
rocky berg anchored at the edge of the rolling,
green waves of the cultivated plain.
Tough pull up up up,
pause for thighs, up up
pause for sighs, up up,
pause for views, up up
pause to muse, up up
at last reach the ridge:
dramatic reward – high above patchwork fields
with foothills and mountain feast
to the south and west,
and lumpy lush plain to the east.
Ridge slope gentle amble
still upwards,
and steep sheep path down to ramble
round the lower circle –
bracken, craggy path
and ancient woodland – mossy trees and wall,
buzzard hovering high above.

Certificate U
Poem
Countryside explorations
Nature

Comments

Submitted by jeand on

Hi Rhiannon

Lovely poem, and lovely view from the top, after the steep struggle upwards. I liked the line - pause for thighs, - the sighs, views and muse are things most would admit to wanting to stop for, but stopping because of your aching legs makes you more human.

Jean

Jean Day

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thanks, Jean. I'm glad others have weak thighs, too – I don't think my husband does, but he cycles a lot!
It was difficult to choose a pic that at this size might compliment the words. Those I had that showed the mountains, didn't do so well in 2D and at this size. This photo looks northwards, but seems to show the narrowness and height of the ridge. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Beautiful poem, Rhiannon.  Absolutely.

Tina

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Oh, thank you, Tina. I appreciate that. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

NIce to see cherries on the mountain! Thanks. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Bee on

Loved this. Wish I was there instead of here. The up and up repetitions emphasised the climb and gave a feeling to the height. Cherries so deserved.

Bee

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you so much, Bee, and so glad you could share! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

Thanks for taking me on the walk, the fresh air did me good.  Lovely.

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Glad to hear you had your taste of Skirrid breeze too! Thanks, Helen. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Ray Schaufeld on

You took me along with you and the fabulous view made my breathlessness and aching hips completely worth it.

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Ha, ha! I'm sure it was invigorating, especially in imagination! Thanks for feedback, Elsie. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Denzella on

Hello Rhiannon,

 I too am fair puffed and have only just managed to climb up part way, but I think  the view from the ridge must be worth it.  Your walk and nature poems are so cleverly described that your readers trot alongside...well this reader does.  Thank you for the strenuous climb now I need to sit back and read your next poem while I catch my breath.

Moya

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

I seem to have introduced many to follow me up the Skirrid, if from their armchairs! Thanks again, Moya. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Stephen Thom on

How excellent this is...i read your recent on the cliff path and then this poem and I like how transportive they are and how you can transfer the reader into these environments with subtle arrangements of words. In short pieces every word seems so vital. There is great use of movement here and the repeated /slightly varied lines really built momentum and carry the reader along, loved lumpy lush plain esp. :-)

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you very much, Stephen, for your insightful analysis and appreciation. Rhiannon