A different time ...

Walking in the garden I had no need for words - 

I had no need of a shirt woven out of sorrow - 

I saw the blue sky above the trees in blossom - 

Last night's raindrops pearled magnolia petals - 

A cool wind blew in from the sea - 

A tiny lizard was a sly wonder - 

A still pond reflected clouds - 

The chapel stood alone upon its hilltop - 

My watch now told me a different time - 

11.00

Wednesday 25 April 2018

Abbotsbury Sub Tropical Gardens 

Abbotsbury

Dorset  

Smoke from the chimney touched the moon ...

We're listening to Nonsuch played by two squeeze boxes and an accordion - 

A fire of driftwood burns in the wide fireplace - 

The stately rhythm fills the room - 

A dog rests its chin upon my knee - 

Under my feet are worn stones - 

The dark ale fills Richard's glass - 

Outside, sea mist fills the valley - 

Smke from the chimney touches the moon - 

20.13

Tuesday 24 April 2018

The Square and Compass

Worth Matravers 

Dorset 

Walking with Jep

I'm watching The Great Beauty once more with Richard - 

We've talked about our youth and the angels who spoke to us - 

Now we drink red wine and walk with Jep Gambardella - 

The sunlight falls upon the ancient beautiful city - 

We are given the keys of midnight palazzi - 

We pick oranges from fragrant trees - 

We, too, will find redemption - 

We will remember a lighthouse, an island, a first kiss - 

21.00

Monday 23 April 2018

The Old School House

East Stoke

Dorset 

The Eldorado ...

The Cadillac Eldorado was a sleek pale yellow lizard - 

The white tyres would hiss as they devoured roads -.

I pictured myself at the potent wheel - 

I'd drive through the midnight towns - 

I remrmbered the song growled by John Cale - 

Well the girls would turn the colour 

Of the avocado when he would drive 

Down their street in his Eldorado - 

12.59

Sunday 22 April 2018

Bramble Bay 

Studland 

Dorset 

Birdsong filled the wood ...

Birdsong filled the wood - 

Sunlight, then shadow, fell upon our path - 

Oak and beech were in April leaf - 

I asked Penelope the names of the flowers we saw - 

Stitchwort, Red Campion, Wood Anemone - 

Each name was like a gentle memory - 

Once more I walked with boyhood friends - 

The world was green and filled with wonder - 

11 30

Friday 20 April 2018

Aethelhampton

Dorset

Those two words ...

Inside the house, the estate agent takes his photographs - 

All of the rooms are emptied - 

All are now pristine - 

I'm edging the two small lawns in the back garden - 

My mum used to watch me cut the grass - 

She'd sit in a chair by the patio door  

Sometimes she'd sweep bits of moss off the path - 

I pick up the cuttings - 

It's as though she's still by my side - 

Those long Sunday afternoons - 

Love and sorrow - 

Those two words - 

15.57

Friday 20 April 2018

Staunton Road

Havant 

Hampshire 

All my gardens ...

The new leaves on the apple tree shade me from the sun - 

I'm reading in the garden - 

The tree casts its shadow upon the warm grass - 

I'm barefoot - 

There are daisies - 

Many birds are singing - 

I remember Eduardo's garden - 

I'd look out at the sea from the white terrace - 

The carp would rise to the surface of their dark pool - 

IIn Jane's garden I'd watch the moon cross the velvet sky - 

Pine trees would scent the balmy air - 

A fountain would reflect a midnight lamp - 

I remember all the gardens in my life - 

I have found solace in the company of flowers - 

Each garden was a mirror if heaven - 

Last night there was a crescent moon - 

As iDrove homewards I pictured all my gardens - 

Tthe gardens of the sun - 

The silver gardens of the moon - 

15.49

Thursday 19 April 2018

The Old School  House 

East Stoke

Dorset