Tuesday 6 September 2011

The People Of Wood

there's a path
a secret
path

the sign's got lost
and the path will soon lose itself
too

ivy and fallen branches
 are taking over

at the end of this path is an ancient meadow
volleys of goldfinches
explode into the air at every step
the magpie cackles
and
the rabbits scurry

here stand the oldest
 people of wood

twisted and broken
they endure
in the meadow
beside the quiet water

their heart a cave
dark and sheltered

softwood
sympathy

then over your shoulder catch a glimpse
of rugged laughter

the merry old king
of the riverbank

stand up, m' boy,
look at me square and honest,
a fine caper
and no mistake

square
and honest

but villains came creeping
in night time and malice
in fire and torture

flame
and shadow

but
 on this broad afternoon
let us spread wide our gladsome, welcoming shadows

said
the great lady of the willows

for we have in our hollow bones
new
life
springing

the blackbird is singing
thistledown twirling
the people of wood are silent
waiting
and
your path may look
so
very
different
when it
 returns you to your dream



take care

7 comments:

  1. Well done, John. And I absolutely love your tale about the chair leg at Trinity College. Be well.

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  2. Wonderful John - magical in fact. I want to walk through that wood. It reminds me of the stories of BB 'The Little Grey Men' and 'Down the Bright Stream' - do you know them?

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  3. What a lovely post John. That last photo is particularly lovely. Like Weaver I have the BB books about The Little Grey Men and agree that they would be very much at home here.

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  4. "volleys of goldfinches explode into the air"--you make me see them!

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  5. When I take photos I sometimes get into a sort of trance. I'm unaware of anything except the thing I'm trying to snap. It occurred to me that the old willow trees are equally unaware of the mad, rushing world outside their old meadow. To them our world, at the other end of the scret path, is the dream.
    As to the BB books I've never heard of them. If there's any influence it's probably from listening to too many Incredible String Band albums in my youth!
    Thanks for all your comments.

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  6. Wondrous! I've just discovered your blog. I'll definitely be back.

    ReplyDelete

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