The Fells From Derwentwater

Dark-veined, foreboding are the fells

whose summits hide behind thin veils

of ghostly, drifting, smoke-like trails.

Today you wear your autumn coat,

of bracken brown and hooker green.

The forests thick with graded pine

look down upon the sturdy oaks

whose cloaks are mellow-yellow gold.

How cold the lake appears in rain,

slate-grey, the crested waves roll by

and you and I in motor launch,

undaunted by a sullen sky,

aware this landscape and her moods

have wooed us.

Reviews

[John the Baptist]

A very vivid word picture here. The scene is the Lake District of England in the fall. I had never heard the word "fells" before, but apparently they are elevations that are higher than hills, but don't quite acquire the stature of mountains, and are often barren of greenery. The autumnal colors are splendid, but the weather seems forbidding on the lake.The speaker and an addressee are in a motor launch, and the poem's last lines may be a comment on their relationship. Is there some turbulence in it? We are left to speculate.
PS: I once had a friend named Drinkwater who told me the name was originally "Derwentwater."

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks JTB for calling on this older poem out for an airing. The Lake District is incredibly beautiful but the mists can roll in without notice. I appreciate you stopping by.

Chris

[Sami Khalil]

A beautiful and tranquil scene written by a sharpped- eye writer with artistic talents to draw us a picture that will linger in minds. Then it is all interrupted by something of a dangerous nature. How well you navigate powtry dear Chris...

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Sami for your thoughtful and very welcome review. All good wishes.

Chris

[Sami Khalil]

You are welcome muchly.

[Lathen Griffiths]

Lovely Chris, there’s a real journey to be had here, such wonderful imagery.

Best wishes

Lathe

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Lathe for your encouraging review. You are appreciated.

Chris

[Relic]

This is one of those poems where every word fits and every sentence flows.

Awesome writing, Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Tim. Good to see you. Hope you are OK. Your review is very encouraging. Pleased you enjoyed the read.

Chris

[Melinda McQueen]

You painted such a lovely picture here. What beautiful places you have been, and in your words, so have I. Thank you.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Melinda for your encouraging words and visit. Have a lovely Sunday. Pleased you enjoyed the read.

Chris

[grimfukle]

Damn that's good!
Suddenly I'm somewhat jealous. ;)

[Chris Shaw]

Aw, now you are making me blush:))

Thanks a million.

[grimfukle]

You are very welcome Chris.
I always could make the ladies blush,lol.

[Chris Shaw]

:)) .........................

[Jimmy Yetts]

Stark imagery that lingers.
A stunning piece of work, good poetess!

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Jimmy, thank you so much for your lovely review. Much appreciated.

Chris

[Crowley]

You always make me wanna live where you live with your beautiful descriptions. One question though....do all the hookes where green? lol...

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Crowley. You just made me smile. I don't know how Hooker green came to be known as such. All I know is it's a shade of oil paint. I can always see the best in the places I visit, but that doesn't necessarily mean I wanna live there :))

Chris

[Wild Rose]

Well now! What a scene your words paint Derwent Water in autumn coat
I prefer it on a sunny day when the fellsides takes on a more golden tint to the yellow - almost glows

From the motor launch the fells look as the highest Alps so foreboding in winter coats
Want a winter ride with snow topped fells - some day

Would rate this as 2 x 100 if allowed

[Chris Shaw]

So pleased you enjoyed this one Wild Rose, especially as it is in your neck of the woods so to speak.

Chris

[Lydia Shutter]

Scenery morphs when our mood does, but it is always striking...always sets the mood. The imagery you employ is so lovely....I could picture the scene perfectly. Living in South Florida, I sometimes miss the colors of Autumn. I miss the mcintosh crisp air....and this brought it back to me. Lydi**

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for your lovely response Lydi** Your avatar is wonderful. Nice to see a smiling face.
read moreThank you for your lovely response Lydi** Your avatar is wonderful. Nice to see a smiling face.

Chris

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you, Christine. Your smiling avatar is lovely as well.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you :))