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 :))

[Davidgeo]

You have a good cadence to your writing. And you describe things well enough to immerse the reader into your surroundings which is no easy task.

TS Eliot wrote in a similar descriptive spirit with his Four Quartets... I especially thought of East Coker as I read this.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you. I do not know East Coker, but believe it is where the remains of T S Eliot are buried, in the Somerset countryside. I'll have to look up Four Quartets, because I am not familiar with these works, even though I have read a little of T S Eliot. I appreciate your comments.
Chris