The inglenook is found within
the interstices of many an English Inn
where many a weary traveller such as I
have been
grateful of the warm fireside where flames begin
to kindle the creative mind, in whispering:
‘Firebrand, with pen in hand…
begin again.’
© Experimentsinfiction 2020, All Rights Reserved
Linda is hosting dVerse Quadrille tonight, and she has challenged us to write a poem of exactly 44 words including the word ‘inglenook.’ I love traditional English coaching inns, and quite a few still survive in my native Cumbria, many of them containing inglenooks where you can get cosy by the fire and shelter from the cold after a day walking the fells. I can’t imagine anything more heartwarming, especially at this time of year!
I set myself an extra challenge here of playing with ‘in’ sounds whilst trying to avoid sounding monotonous. I’ll leave it up to you to decide if I succeeded!
Photo by Craig Adderley from Pexels
Experiments in Fiction 
This is so lovely and you did an excellent job with ‘in’ sounds.
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Thank you Linda. I don’t normally like rhyming each line but for some reason felt the need to do it here!
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I love the rhymes… and it wasn’t monotonous at all. To walk and then reaching such an inn sounds like a perfect way to spend a day off.
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I am a fan of traditional English coaching inns, Ingrid, complete with ghost stories around the inglenook, and a ghost if you’re lucky! I like the way you played with the ‘in’ sounds and the idea of the flames whispering to kindle the creative mind – great play on the word ‘kindle’, too.
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Thank you Kim! Oh yes, a haunted pub such as the ones York is famous for. Happy memories!
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When Covid is thwarted and you can come home to visit, we should arrange a British poets get together in a haunted pub – York would be perfect!
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Ye Olde Starre! Count me in 🌟
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I absolutely love, love this! 💝 I have always admired stories revolving around fireplaces and inns :) so your poem takes me there.
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Thank you Sanaa! Maybe a story about the romantic hero from your poem 😊
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Ooh, I love this and the rhyme scheme you’ve employed, Ingrid. It is genius! I love where your poem takes me as well, the inspiration that rises from the warmth during a cold winter! Love it. Beautifully penned. <3 <3 <3
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Thank you, Lucy. It’s easy to find inspiration thinking about that warm fire!
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I constantly wish to write in the setting of a cosy inn and think of the steady people that have the pleasure of meeting travelers from far and wide. This piece instantly kindled that writing longing in me again, so to speak!
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Great! You should do it 🔥
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The sound pattern holds this together beautifully. I especially like the rather cryptic ending. Hearths go with darkness, the only light you need, and you can’t see the muck the ash makes :)
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Chimney fires plagued us for a time, and sweeps charge like plumbers. There are several large Lodges around the NW that while staying there one enjoys a large roaring inglenook; smile.
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Oh, your ‘in”s are finely managed Ingrid, and the work, overall, sings – as a talented firebrand’s should. Salute
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this is warmly inclusive, gives a cosy feel all round … nice to hear/see you on the video
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Flames in the inglenook tend to whisper and encourage a creative mind. Having that kind of night here, with a bit of snow predicted.
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Totally succeeded with the sounds!! I cherish memories of visiting England during one particularly cold Autumn, fires burning, curled up in cozy chairs, never wanting to leave.
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I like that creativity can be kindled near the warmth of the fire.
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I imagine you reciting these forty-four lines, in the inglenook, with your pen in hand, just before you begin again. I can hear the fire crackling, bones thawing, and creativity stirring. 🔥
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There is noplace better after being out and about in the cold winter weather than sitting in the warm inglenook. Very inviting poem, Ingrid.
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I vote: a resounding YES, you succeeded, Ingrid (no big surprise to me).
Lovely!
-David
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Thank you David 🔥
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I love this meditation, which has many layers, like winter itself. (K)
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Thank you Kerfe! ❄️
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Lovely poem…well done, In-grid! ;)
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Thank-in you 🤣
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Wonderful vision Ingrid loved where it lead.
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Thank you Rob 🔥
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It sounds like such a lovely place to “begin again.” The poem has a nice rhythm with the “in” sounds to get the inspiration flowing through the “pen in hand” as well! 🖋
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Thank you Tricia 🖊🔥
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the beauty of the inglenook flame is warm and inviting as is your beautiful writing warming our hearts! ❤️❤️
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Thank you Cindy ❤️🔥
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yes and may the inglenook fire keep you warm today!❤️
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It is a little chilly 🥶
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burrrr.. stay cozy!
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It’s warm in the house: no inglenook but we have underfloor heating 🔥
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oh good.. i’m colder in than out grrrr.. nice to have floor heating,, that’s my next house in the ground mate 🤣
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🤣
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Lovely, warm poem, Ingrid.
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Lovely, warm poem, Ingrid.
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Thank you 😊
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