“Not favoured spots alone, but the whole earth,
The beauty wore of promise” – William Wordsworth
It isn’t a hard road
gracefully, it curves upward
away from all the would-be cares
of this tired new world
back to the old, forgotten things:
tree and mountain
flower and stream
open common ground.
True, there are pitfalls:
abandoned mine shafts
but these have been cairned, carefully
by those who went before
a kindness.
Walk around them,
rise
into the overarching skies
see how the blue increases
and the view, at the outset so intimate
expands to take in distant lands
the Firth,
the backbone of this Northern earth
the jewelled hills beyond
which call you on
into this realm
of promise
© 2022 experimentsinfiction.com. All Rights Reserved.
This poem was inspired by a walk to High Pike above Caldbeck in the English Lake District. You can see more pictures from my walk below. Sharing with earthweal’s Open Link Weekend #126.
Exceptionally lovely. Seeing that gives the impression that all is good with our planet. Sadly, this is not so. The reminders are there to grow us. This is why we need to do more. Let’s do what we can so our grandchildren can see this beauty as well. Thanks for sharing, Ingrid. I also shared a video this weekend. For positivity. The call required I act on it.
Thanks for sharing your world. xoxo
It was more about all being right in my ❤️ I know we have much work to do with the 🌎 but the work starts within! Thank you for reading, Selma 😊
I relate. Totally. It’s an inside job. I loved what you shared. Thanks so much. XoXo
‘cairned, carefully’ – just so.
Pounding the pentameter!
A document of pictures – well done x
My favourite method of composition 😊 thanks NR x
Such a beautiful place! Thank you for sharing, Ingrid!
My pleasure Merril 😊
😊
So beautiful . Truly enjoyed.💕
Thanks Grace 💖
My pleasure 💕
Great shots and such a relaxed joyful poem! I so loved the Lakes District, it seems another lifetime now 🙂
Thanks Kate, I’m glad you enjoyed this and that it brought back fond memories!
I don’t remember much sunshine when I was there … but even in the rain it was beautiful 🙂
Whenever I used to visit while living abroad it would rain, but we seem to be blessed with good weather recently!
and a good move Ingrid, sounds like you’ve made some big changes so I pray the sun continues to shine on you, your family and your projects … take care precious!
Thanks Kate, you too!
Nature has its way to touch, remind and inspire us.
Indeed! Thank you Cassa 🙏
So beautiful, both in verse, and in photography, Ingrid. Such a lovely landscape.
Thank you, Jeff: glad you enjoyed!
How beautiful, Ingrid.! The poem and the photos are both heart-touching… the old stone bridge, the foxglove beside the mossy stone fence. I imagine my English ancestors walking there and my Scottish, Irish, and German ancestors walking in similarly lovely places.
Here, the old places belong to the Native Americans. Indian Mound, beside Lemon Bay, is a place I have gone to contemplate the lives of the people who once lived there. In 2016, a twelve thousand-year-old burial ground was discovered twenty feet beneath the surface of the bay and is now a protected site.Your poem evokes the same feelings of reverence as Indian Mound. <3
What a beautiful and moving response to my poem, Cheryl: thank you for sharing ❤️
Lovely poem Ingrid, you’ve captured your walk so well. I especially like:
“the old, forgotten things:
tree and mountain
flower and stream”
Thanks Kim!
I am also grateful for my predecessors who marked the dangers so I could walk around them!
Many elements to love about your poem, Ingrid. Your intimate connection and understanding of nature, your detailed descriptions, and the metaphors found within. ✨
Thank you, Michele: I am glad you liked it 💖
Beautiful words and pictures you painted for us of such a gift of nature and your happy place that was respite for the soul Ingrid1💖💖
I am glad you found it so, Cindy, we could all use more of that! 💕💖
I did… I’ll meet you there someday which we do book tours. 😘😂
🤩👌💖
I love the contrast of the sheltered bridge and path lined by tree against the sudden burst of sunshine and open field! Lovely pairing of poem and photo. 🙂
Thanks Jaya! I am glad you enjoyed my snapshots 😊
Glorious landscapes, and a beautiful poem. Just lovely.
Glad you liked it Sherry!
A magical place. (K)
Indeed it is! Thank you.
Beautifully written .. and lovely pictures 💕
Thank you 💖
“Old, forgotten things” is the abundance here, unfolding to an eye in love with the wild.
Thank you Brendan.
see how the blue increases… I love that – idea, fact and image…
Thank you Rajani.
Blue skies and sunshine are not my recollection of old Blighty. Lovely shots and words to match. You can tell I have been watching Wimbledon:)
Thank you!
This was lovely.
Thank you 😊
Beautiful words and vivid imagery. ‘the old forgotten things’ 🥺
It is a shame we forget them so easily!