First seen, sunrise
on lilting hills, misting
green to grey,
warming, anticipating
the early crescendo,
crimson trails towards
lazy sheep, grazing
Gloved hands,
tea for two,
steamy breath
rising, unhurried
from old camping mugs,
saved the day
all else, still,
boxed and safe
Looking back,
only two, so young
so far to go
from such unknown,
to so much seen,
friends, family, found
and lost
, pause, a thought,
helped by another red
, Italian, of course
Listen! the other side,
true country
never silent, empty
as first glance
muffled, a few birds,
feathered chit, chat all at once
while some sing, in tune,
well almost…
… the sheep, as always, just stare
, munching into space,
even the bees today, behaving
as if they know
no need for words…
A moment, then
back to earth, the boys
, now men, gently teasing
Breathe in the valley, long
for the last,
, watch an era end,
as the warm glow,
slipping quickly
retires for the night
to awake, a new home
, promise of a new dawn
If you’d like to find out a bit more about this poem, click the link to the page “Explained” which shines a light on the background to each poem, or helps you to understand what the heck’s going on if you’re a bit baffled!
Paul Horne 