Hiraeth

Hiraeth - a Welsh word with no direct English translation; an approximation is the longing, or yearning for home.

A path cuts between pastures to the
place where Slate Hill rises from the earth.

Where the hill meanders down,
It melts into a meadow filled with
swaying grasses and lively flowers.

I walk across the meadow to where
frogs peep in the pond, and forest
meets meadow's edge. The sun smiles.

The wind rushes cool through
lofty branches and green leaves. Birds
build nests and squirrels keep watch.

I walk for over an hour until I reach
the farthest edge of the woods, where
a stream gurgles over its chilly bed.

I sit and eat my lunch, surrounded
serenely by all of God's creation.
Peaceful moments apart from man.

I step from yesterday's memories,

to here and now, where green trees

have turned into condos and strip malls.

It is true, you can never go home.

 

Reviews

[J.Black]

Oh something new I see. EB helped you out? Well then I give you both credit because this is really well done. Hell, perhaps even the worlds best dog might like it if you read her this one! Its true, you can never go home once you've witnessed and have been exposed to thoughts, dreams, memories... even sitting outside and letting nature surround you. It seems nearly impossible to go back. Good write!

[Nina C Palmer]

I think this one could be a winner. We wrote about the same concept of home in such different ways. I love how day dreamy this is.

[icelandicblue]

This is so beautifully sad. It's true we can't ever really go home but when home has become unrecognizable and all of it's beauty has been stripped it's like a small part of us is lost forever.

[Creepy Swine Guy]

That is SO peculiar. I was actually in that very poem when you left this review. But I digress. Thank you for having a look. You DO always seem to get my meaning quite clearly.

[icelandicblue]

Ha! That is peculiar...I thought I saw something move whilst I admired that bucolic painting. Why ever would you leave?

[Creepy Swine Guy]

Maybe just because I grew up ... maybe because I learned at a painfully young age that "Nothing gold can stay". ... [Sigh]

[icelandicblue]

Oh I know, neverland never lasts.

[Emily B]

love the title

[Emily B]

the words almost bring tears today, so glad to re-visit such a peaceful memory

[TL Boehm]

beaufital. wait. beulafut. Wait. Oh I am just messing with you. It amazes me how gentle a soul resides in all that - um....well you know what I mean. A lovely poem. I've been following you and Em around here for years.

[Creepy Swine Guy]

Hehehe ... all that ... Oink? Thank you Ma'am.

[Doreen]

This is so beautiful. The description is astounding and I can hear the birds in my head and feel the breeze through my hair. :) This is so soothing to read.

[just rose.]

I love this so much. I listened to the voice read (which I kind of love, do you mind if I borrow it?) and I thought, wow this is so vivid, the images are so incredibly well done, and I really really really love the last line. Awesome!!!

[Chloe..Across the Unive..]

I enjoyed hearing you read this and the sounds of water ..
Emily is a jewel in more ways than one .. the two of you have
made a beautiful piece of poetry which is sadly true.
Reminding ever so lightly of Joni Mitchell's song Yellow Taxi..
They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot

that they have done many places.

Chloe

[Bullet Soul]

This poem is amazing! There's so much longing in this, it reminds me of visiting old places, finally feeling at home, but then taking a look around and realizing that everything has changed while you've been away. It's beautiful, yet so upsetting at the same time. I love this! :)

[Sam Severn]

This is SO freakin' good!! I love the end lines n' the image of the condos n' strip malls, replacing all the peace and the creatures of nature. Just plain, simply FABULOUS! ㋡