Rural England

The recent rain, has made the land far greener.

I look upon the vales and hills

of pleasant pastures, verdant hues,

the winding lanes and wooded copse

where English oaks reach for the sky.

Where Saxon, Norman churches lie

in villages beside the green,

and bells peal out on Sunday morn.

In summer time the roses climb

up walls of whitewashed cottages

to reach the neat and thickened thatch.

Confetti petals fall on paths,

small children play upon the lawns,

both men and boys strike out with bats

at cricket balls, the crease well kept.

The Thames meanders from its source,

a trickle first but then grows wide,

a fleet of geese take off in flight.

This river courses through my blood,

it swells with heavy rain and floods

the land where purple loosestrife stands

to line the banks worn thin by wash.

And all this water glides on down

to where it meets the tidal flow,

to urban sprawl where I was born

but now I'm torn as I've become

far fonder of the countryside.

The city has its elegance

for me its majesty has died.

Reviews

[Stella Armour]

I didn't know you were from London, that is where my parents were from. I fully appreciate your words about England's green countryside, its heritage , all of its wonder to be found travelling rural roads.

You have painted for your readers some wonderful canvasses within this poem .

I live in a city but it is a mix of old and new.....

[Chris Shaw]

Hammersmith born Stella, though it has changed beyond all recognition now. I very rarely go back because it is not the London I knew or that of my parents and all four grandparents. It holds nothing for me now except memories. I have built a life round the countryside, preferring the greenery and the relative peace and quiet. Thank you for your lovely review.

Chris

[Stella Armour]

I envy you living in the countryside, i really do.
My ancestors were all from Mile End and Stratford .

of course i am a Yorkshire girl lol

[Chris Shaw]

You can be whoever you want to be Stella. Every poet knows that:))

[Stella Armour]

Too true, and to be honest i quite like just being myself... take me or leave me lol :))

[Coyote Poetry]

I agree Christine. I love the countryside more than the city. I liked your description of the countryside. Here in Michigan. Lakes and land away from cities. Perfect and beautiful. Thank you for sharing the excellent poetry.
Coyote

[Chris Shaw]

Always country for me Coyote. Not comfortable anymore in the busy cities. You agree also. Thank you for reading.

Chris

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome Christine. If I had a option. live away from the city.

[Jon Roggie]

I knew it!
Sorry, I was guessing on where you were from by how you spelled humour.
Cities can be fun,
but I prefer the country.
A cold morning in the desert is beautiful.

Jon

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Jon. Never experienced a cold morning in a desert, but country is where my heart is.

Chris

[Jon Roggie]

As a teenager, I passed through England. Restrained to the airport in Gatwick before moving on to West Germany.

[Chris Shaw]

You didn't see much then sadly. Our countryside is beautiful.

[Jon Roggie]

The odd feeling I got was when I was in the countryside in Germany. It felt used. I don't know how to explain it.

[Chris Shaw]

Maybe it had been well used. Farmers maybe from centuries before. Picking up vibes. Stranger things have happened.

[Jon Roggie]

Could be. Nice to meet you. Time for a moment of slumber. Until next time.
Jon

[Chris Shaw]

Sweet dreams. Nice to talk to you Jon.

[alanwgraham]

England's green and pleasant land conjures up a host of golden images! Those places can still be found, where country lanes and village greens abound. But as you have alluded to, there is an England of another ilk. Nothing is forever!
Well done Christine for a very thought provoking piece!
Regards,
Alan

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Alan. Hoping our green belt will not be destroyed.

[alanwgraham]

You are welcome to join us in Scotland Christine. We are happy to accept immigrants! Ha Ha!
Lang may your lum reek!
Alan

[Chris Shaw]

Now you are gonna have to translate that last line Alan! Ha. You got much more space up there than we have, but feel sure you don't wanna be invaded by us sassanachs (is that how you spell it?)

[alanwgraham]

Long may your chimney (lum) smoke (reek) - have a long life. My wife is English so it can be tricky!

[Chris Shaw]

Ha ha, Oh yes you must have learned the art of diplomacy by now Alan!

[...]

Symphony in few words. I can feel beauty and I can feel nature . Almost like life experience . You created good impression of English country side. I can feel your love forward place where you was born. This is good writing.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Martin. Yes I love the English countryside. I am at my best when close to nature. Your comments very much appreciated. Hope you are doing ok.

Chris

[...]

Thanks i am very fine. Even I am north east coast usa. We got nice grey English weather , what I preffer more then heating sun . Have nice day.

[Chris Shaw]

We have had plenty of grey today. Sun tomorrow though. Today has been very pleasant and I wish you a happy day Martin.

[barleygirl]

I love this description of the English countryside & I’m mentally comparing your scene to my own dry barren rugged hills with a nearby river of a completely different (rocky roaring) style. I grew up in the country, then needing to live in the city for decades to pursue my career, I always dreamed of returning to the countryside, which I did about 8 years ago now. Your scene is very different from mine (really enjoyed your excellent details), but the spirit & the feelings are all the same. I hope you are now in a spot that you love, or at least, that you’ll be able to return there as I finally did! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear Margie. I am where I want to be. Born in our capital city, it has lost its appeal to me. Give me the leafy green any day. I adore our countryside.

Chris

[GregoryM]

I visited there years ago and I know exactly what you mean. I too would rather have green leaves than grey cities. I liked the visuals and the journey.

[Chris Shaw]

Pleased you got the opportunity to see some of our green and pleasant land. I hope it remains that way and that our green belt isn't sacrificed for additional housing needs. They can be built on brown fill sites and in the towns and cities. Thank you for reading and your kind response.

Chris

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

You describe the English countryside so beautifully in this amazing poem Chris. I’ve never been to England but it’s wonderful to see its beauty through your eyes and words. “The winding lanes and wooded copse”- exquisite language and imagery. You let the noble Thames wind us back through England’s rich Saxon and Norman history- the majesty of its past and present. Cities become tainted as they must, but as you attest, “This river courses through my blood”. You make your country proud my friend.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much Annette. It was a pleasure sharing my Rural England poem with you. There are such delights to be seen, and I do count my lucky stars that so much is on my doorstep.

Chris

[Gee]

I have Jerusalem playing in my head now. Reminds me of many places seen over the years.
Gotta say you ain't 'alf bad at this Christine
Hope you are well

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Gee. Jerusalem the golden, with milk and honey blessed. That was one of my favourite hymns at school, you have taken me back to school assembly and I thank you for that. Grammar school, strict, very academic, produced some very fine scholars (not me), I always had to fight my hardest to keep my head above water. The discipline didn't do me any harm. I certainly know wrong from right lol.

[Jack O]

With your ability, you should write a story. Does not have to be long. You, I think, can write more than poetry.

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Jack O. I have been known to write the odd one or two about special events, but I always come back to poetry.

[Jack O]

poetry fills the writing need and void. I will sometimes just start a piece with a dark and stormy night. silly sock that, but It works.
Perhaps green eggs and ham if you have kids.
?

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i love the countryside as well...having been born and partly raised in the Bronx...but spending my summers in Vermont...i learned to love country...
where i live now is mostly rural...and it is where i feel comfortable....when i talk to people who are going to visit NY city...i say..."great place to visit, but be glad you are only visiting"
i know NYC has its reputation from the songs about it...but i too, go country...one of my bucket lists is to Visit London someday.
your poem took me to your country and showed me its beauty.

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Jacob. You can be in open countryside very quickly over here. I live on the Berks/Oxford borders, only 40 miles from London and there are some very pretty villages around us. Go further to Somerset and Dorset and Cornwall for even better visual treats. I rarely visit London anymore, preferring a more peaceful environment and one which is less frenetic. I hope you do get to visit London, the historical interest and architecture, tradition is something else. Well worth seeing.

Chris