Summer's Blessing

By skinner_jennifer

Sat, 09 May 2020
  • 1433 reads
8 comments
 

Does May tree hold that optimism,

that gentle language of late spring?

As people eagerly gathered

beneath Hawthorn's bloom,

 

I remember on village green

children clutching lavender,

those sprigs of scented flowers

that tell us summer's almost here.

 

Lost now in long tradition

a maypole once stood,

entertained with dancing

those Morris men would,

 

Shelter then! Oh sacred tree

those nesting in your limbs,

such creatures that hold fast

above climbing narrow ridges,

 

As time progresses we no longer

commemorate carefree uniting,

lost interlacing of dreams in the

return of summer's blessing.

 

 

Photos are my own.

Remembering my Holiday in 1973 at Laycock.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Comments

Submitted by littleditty on

Lovely - i like the maypole and tree, hawthorn and lavender of your poem, they are the nostalgia of Spring to summer and it does feel on the cusp right now. Hawthornes are blooming elderflower coming in. You make me miss the village greens..metaphorical ones, but the collecting together and of more innocent times. Maypole dancing was always a bit weird! But you take me back to a time when maybe i thought the whole thing was just lovely! Nostalgia poem, beautiful, must have hit the mark..

 

Submitted by onemorething on

Yes, love the lavendered nostalgia too. For me, it's the bees, by late Spring they seem to be in their element. Rituals are important, I suppose we have less of them collectively and that's sad. There's something lovely about late Spring too when things feel more settled and it teases Summer. Having said that, I think the weather is going to get much colder again tomorrow.  Rachel :)

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

Did you used to dance around a maypole when you were a child? I so wanted to when I was little - all those ribbons and flowers in your hair, it seemed so magical. Is it as complicated as it looks ? I would probablty have gone the wrong way and got tangled up :0)

 

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi littleditty,

glad I could conjure up your own memories in this poem..I grew up in a village with a green where we would come together to celebrate the coming of the seasons, sadly now the only place I know that still celebrates is Glastonbury, but I'm sure there must be villages that I know nothing about.

Many thanks for sharing your interesting thoughts.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Rachel,

yes you're right, it is a shame we don't celebrate the coming seasons anymore, although I never realized at the time just how important it was to come together. I was 18 in 1973 and just loved doing my own thing, although going to Laycock was a pretty amazing experience, it's like going back in time to another era of coaches and horses. The houses are authentic and I remember the local pub very well.

I love watching the bees while sitting in the garden, and our lavender is almost out in full bloom, which of course as you know the bees love.

Glad you enjoyed my poem and appreciate you stopping by to read.

Many thanks.

Jenny..

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hello Di,

I've only tried maypole dancing once, I recall it's along the same lines as plaiting hair, you just weave in and out in a dance until the ribbons are completely wrapped around the pole...lots of fun.

Laycock was great because the Morris dancers gathered in the pub after their dance and had a good old sing song, I recall the fantastic atmosphere pretty much like it was yesterday...the photos help too.

I'm sure you would'nt have any problem grasping maypole dancing, I can imagine you come across as a quick learner.

Thank you for taking the time to read and share your thoughts which are always appreciated.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by littleditty on

Bloody loved it!!! *twirls* You've reminded me of harvest festivals too - primary school was small enough to be a village green -cheers Jenny!

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

So many thanks for coming back and letting me know how much you liked this poem littleditty. Growing up in a village was so special, I'm sure you know what I mean. Yes, we had a village green and would gather there  for many different reasons. We lived in a very old cottage and every year a parade would march by and gather at the green, but I can't recall for what reason. I do remember all the kids chasing the parade and children marching along to the music. There was always a community spirit which I'm so glad I was a part of.

Always nice to hear from you and thanks again for stopping by.

Jenny.