Looking out over the Heavenfield ...

We came across Saint Oswald's Church towards the end of the afternoon - we 'd been following the line of the wall all day, from Wallhouses to Heavenfield -

Sometimes we'd walked through silent woods, each tree like a temple pillar - 

Nettles and wild flowers filled the vallum -  

There was the church, away from the path - I plunged through fragrant grass to reach it - 

Inside the church, there was a Roman altar - 

Outside, there was the Heavenfield - I gazed upon the site of Oswald's triumph - 

Later, his poor bones were a nest of miracles - 

I saw rain, like silver threads, move over the hills - 

16.30

July 7 2014

Saint Oswald's Church

The Heavenfield