Walking in the Wood

These woods have stood majestic for

more years than I will ever know,

and saplings grown from scattered fruit

are keen to stretch their necks to grow.

Taller, taller to the height

where they can catch the gems at night.

See copper-coloured leaves float down,

another layer, move on by.

Then soon a clearing starved of trees

where I can view a cloudless sky.

Higher, higher on the wing,

the Red Kites soar, what joy they bring.

I can but hope this place remains

for generations yet to come,

for here is where my senses feel

acute, in truth my song is sung.

Louder, louder, hear it clear

with each and every passing year.

Author's Note

Red Kites are birds of prey, often seen in the Chilterns. They were almost extinct but happily now are flourishing.

Reviews

[John the Baptist]

A very pleasing nature poem here, with imagery that puts you on the scene. We must treasure such places as the woods the poem describes. Developers in my city seem intent on eradicating as much green space as they can. Rural Suffolk seems to be receding.

[Chris Shaw]

It’s a special place John. I hope it stays that way. Many thanks for your visit and nice review.

Chris

[CD Campbell]

Hey Christine! Wow! Excellent pastoral poem. I really like the rhyme scheme and the ballad type meter with the first four lines in each stanza with the last two rhyming. Kind of nature guy myself so this one read well to my ear. You get extra points for the repeating words at the beginning of every 5th line. It was a nice touch. CD

[Chris Shaw]

You are very kind with your review. Thank you.

[...]

I really like a so walking in woods . Special when is no around any of humans. But I like to hear and see animals special the birds they make magical sounds. When I am omoletly alone I can truly to feel and relate to beauty of nature and clarity of my soul.you catch mood of walking together with observation . Poem is short but still ha e lot of layers to be explore. I can feel you love nature as well. It's lovely poem to read it's also very calm and gentle.

[Chris Shaw]

Yes, I do love nature very much. It brings me peace and touches my soul. I also love the birdsong, and getting away from everyone to bring balance back into my life. So pleased the poem came across as calming and gentle, that's what I was trying to get across. Thank you Martin for your lovely review.

[...]

Yes for me it's always nice. Come to across what is really close to my heart. It's not really happen too often but it's does happen.

[.]

A very descriptive write, very well rhymed and flowing.

I googled the Red Kite.....similar to a falcon by the looks of it. Small and swift but certainly a bird of prey. As for those woods? Long may they exist for as we know the boundaries of nature are fast dissipating with every passing year.

A well written poem. Nicely conceived.

[Chris Shaw]

Hello Doodley. Those Red Kites are incredible to watch, rising high into the thermals. It is so incredibly relaxing to watch them, and you share my views about the woods. I do hope they remain. Some people won't be satisfied till every patch of green is built on. Thank you for your review. Greatly appreciated.