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

[matelotrod]

I just wrote a whole review on this lovely Fells poem and then forgot to post it, unfortunately I lost it so here is another attempt. I don't know the Fells , I live in Norfolk where we do not have Fells or Vales, we have Broads and coasts and we do not need hand Brakes on our motors as there are no slopes. I was raised in Wiltshire where we had Hills and Vales which I don't believe I could handle now!! Loved your poem Chris, Keep them coming. Take care Rod.

[Chris Shaw]

Sorry you lost your first lot of text Rod. Always a delight to hear from you. So pleased you enjoyed this one. I hope you are managing with your health situation Rod. thinking about you.

Chris

[matelotrod]

Decided to push the health situation to one side Chris, getting used to the puffing and panting by soaking it in Whiskey. It works marvellously take care Rod.

[Chris Shaw]

Good to hear a drop of the hard stuff helps Rod.

[emmajoy]

Apart from the superbly laid language, phrases smooth as smooth and yet emotional... you describe places as if living beings (yes, i know they are but.. ) you magnify characteristics and draw thoughts to love or learn to love the changes of time and mood.. it's really wonderful.

Whilst i have visited since, I was an avid teen-age hosteller i(quite a few years ago now!), visiting the lakes and fells in either Spring or Autumn, sometimes both.. and know so well the truth of your words and their 'wooing '. My favourite lake has to be that sullen depth of Wastwater.. and the trackss Elterwater way. Now, NOW this moment, because of this poem i need go back again. You're always inspiring me to travel, Chris!!

[Chris Shaw]

It's good to travel Em, even if it is in thought flight. To experience new things or to remind ourselves. The fells are so magnificent and they ooze emotion. Heavy, sullen and ancient, and then on another day can be the opposite. Thank you

Chris

[emmajoy]

Have created The Un-Normals and Happy for it group.. if interested! x

[Onlyme]

Deep thought-provoking poem this Chris, insightful and natural and gloom filled like our emotions. And how it affects us the weather. Nicely expressed and heartfelt.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Dawn, Yes the weather behaves just like our emotions. many, many moods :))

[Onlyme]

We would not be human. If we didn't feel so many emotions Chris. Hope your day gets better for you. Dawn. 🌷

[Chris Shaw]

Happy enough, just wishing it was nice enough to go out :))

[Onlyme]

Get your wellingtons on and mac. And go dance in the puddles Chris. I would but they would cart me off to the Funny Farm.. at full speed ahead.. lol

[Chris Shaw]

What makes you think I'd escape the funny farm? Lol

[Onlyme]

Your too nice Chris.. Me naughty at times. 😜

[alanwgraham]

Lovely Chris. I've spent much of my spare time in the mountains and I know the worth of going out in all seasons and weathers. Expect the unexpected! I love your images and how your rhymes pop up unexpectedly. I know that your final line is a poetic one but there must be some psychological truth in it. I have finished the Bob Graham round in the lakes covering 64 miles and climbing 27000feet in under 24 hours and I can tell you it is a life changing day in every way.
All the best.
Alan

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Alan. Sounds as though you appreciate this part of the world as much as I do. It is the changing mood which is so challenging. However, it is that which can create some fine material for poets.

Chris

[Lorry]

I think you captured this perfectly Chris, especially the line about the landscape and her moods. Sometimes it can be like a different sight depending on the weather, time of year, or even mood, and I think that has a lot to do with us being wooed. (I just realised that I had no idea how to spell wooed and even though spellcheck agrees, it is a weird looking word :) )
There are places we all find and love, because of the scenery they are amongst, ever changing.

[Chris Shaw]

Hello Lorry, the time of year can make all the difference when you visit some of these places. I was lucky enough to visit Derwentwater in the autumn. I like that word wooed as well :)) Thank you

Chris