Inheritance

This beach at Maidencombe is reached

by countless steps of well-worn stone,

which open to a camber cove

of sand and shingle. On my own

I sit and contemplate the cliffs;

their curves embrace the open sea.

The sandstone, richly rugged-red

is topped by many a wind-blown tree.

And clinging to the craggy slopes

are patchwork flora, clumps of green.

From overhead the swooping gulls

disturb the silence. In this scene

salt water laps and agitates

the sea-weed caught in tidal flow,

while crested white, the crystal waves

fill thirsty rock pools feet below.

A hue of blues that span the sky

create a post-card, summer bright.

No hint of grey unwelcome cloud

to break the vista. Thoughts take flight

to bygone days, two hundred years 

when others came across this bay.

The panorama stays unspoiled

and still can thrill the heart today.

Reviews

[Lisasview]

Hey Chris,
I did not recognise you...New photo...really charming.
I am still tying with my left finger..such a drag.
Isn't it wonderful to have a special place to sit and contemplate...wouldn't it be wonderful if more of our days were filled with these special moments..
Felt like I was there with you...
Lisa

[Chris Shaw]

It is a special place Lisa and more so because I don’t get the chance to see it much. We all need those places we can wander to in thought flight. Yes, new photo. Couldn’t upload anything from my iPhone. Had to find another way, so I was faceless for about a week:)) Thank you for stopping by. Hope your injury heals soon.

Chris

[The_Ancient_Rock]

Good poem.

I enjoy the sea very much as well...

Great poetry.

;)

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much. Pleased you enjoyed this poem. Have a lovely day.

Chris

[The_Ancient_Rock]

Thank you... I will try and wish you the same.

;)

[Betty Hermelee]

I would love to sit and watch the cliffs on a clear summer day, especially at the sea, where the waves mesmerize and change at a moment's notice. The blues, the whites of the seagulls, the gray of the cliffs and let's not forget the texture and color of the clumps of "patchwork flora"that makes this a plce to contemplate the cosmos....love the writing Chris...
Best, B

[Chris Shaw]

Such a lovely review from you Betty. You are always so thoughtful with your responses. Have a lovely Thursday my friend.

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

You're very welcome and VERY productive!!! love it...
Have a volley weekend...
Best, B

[Patricia Wedel]

dearest Chris… this reminds me of the White Cliffs of Dover… beautiful poetry… my friend.
This Sunday we will celebrate Mothers Day. Many 💜 hearts will Pray for Mothers everywhere… Amen. Pat

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Pat, have beautiful Mother’s Day. So pleased you enjoyed this poem and what it reminded you of. All best wishes winging their way to you.

Chris

[emmajoygreen]

You always re.create a place, feeling or with your considered respect to the theme and then, the reader.
In this poem you've reminded me of a a couple of a mfew days during which I learned how to swim in the sea! Yes, true. Now I have the urge to see everything you've included in your breathtaking poem: arhe cliffs and slioes, the crystal waves, the hue of blues! Must admit to being envious of you meter.. do you give lessons? Thank you, thank you.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Em. These days I don’t often write in meter. This is an older poem. A place well worth a visit. I appreciate you stopping by.

Chris

[emmajoygreen]

Whatever and however you write is A1 and more, Chris!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you kindly :) Have a lovely evening Em.

[emmajoygreen]

On the Helpline,, can only try.

[Soren]

A beautiful vista you paint Chris. I love the way you have taken what would be a free verse poem and have broken it up in a wonderful rhyme.

[Chris Shaw]

Pleased you enjoyed the read Soren. Thank you for your encouragement. All the best.

Chris

[Marvin Thomas Cox-Flynn..]

Chris,

This is a majestic piece of excellently written Poetry that tells a wonderful story well worth the hearing ...

Marvin Thomas Cox-Flynn de Graham

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for your lovely review Marvin. So kind of you.

Chris

[Nima.Hope]

Some poems leave me no words, because I am so much drowned in the sea of it's beauty and imagination.
This surely is one of them. I hope you're enjoying your time dear Chris

[Chris Shaw]

Nima, thank you so much for calling on this poem. I appreciate your visit. All is good in my world my friend.

Chris

[Nima.Hope]

I'm very happy for you my dear friend.
Wishing the best for you and your lovely family❤️

[Ken e Bujold]

while i can't say i remember much about the beach, i do remember the gleneagles in Torquay. You capture the joy of the coast so splendidly Chris. can almost taste/smell the salt in the air

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Ken. Yes very close to Torquay. Pleased you enjoyed the scenery. It is a beautiful place and so unspoiled.

Chris

[Melinda McQueen]

Must be such a treasure to see.

Your love for it is captured in these words.

Thank you for sharing your beloved place.

~Melinda

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Melinda.So pleased you stopped by. All the best.

Chris

[keith]

ok
dang if my vocabulary doesn't take another blow
so many words unknown to me taking not the pleasure of such write as this
i see i hear i smell i taste i know the sea
your word choice again brings memories of better times better days better minds
you have done it again ms chris and i thank you
hope all is well across this majestic sea

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Keith for your very encouraging review. Pleased you enjoyed the view of Maidencombe beach. All’s well on this side of the pond. I hope life is ok for you.

Chris