How Green is my Valley?

Upon this hill brow looking down

into a valley's wide eyed gaze,

refreshed by bird song and the sun

I see the work of yesterday.

Here tractors cut thick meadow grass

and left behind in even rows

their tracks, attracting feeding crows.

As grass now dries in autumn air

and morning mist evaporates

into a cloudless sapphire sky,

my hope that others not yet born

will tread this pathway and this space

will not fall foul to building bricks

to disappear without a trace.

Reviews

[Neville]

I was half expecting a dedication or a tribute to the old B&W movie by the same name which I now vividly remember as a young child making me cry (because I found it so emotional & quite writely sad) .. Having said all that, I am so bloomin glad my reflexes for once, were wrong .. in fact, seemingly way off mark .. Your penned observation can not be faulted and your expressed wishes and hopes, likewise shared unreservedly .. Neville

[Chris Shaw]

This place is on my doorstep, a ten minute walk away. I hope it stays as it is. The developers move ever closer. The film, I too remember, in black and white, set in Wales and as you said, a sad one. Caught you then, with the title:) Many thanks Neville.

Chris

[Neville]

I hope they leave it be, too Chris

[FGFRANKLIN]

Reminds me of the Alabama song, Pass it on down. Let's hope there will be plenty of green grass and trees for generations to come.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Fabian. Couldn’t agree with you more. I hope it stays the way it is for generations of the future to enjoy. Pass it on down, is a good name for a sing even though I don’t know this Alabama one. Appreciate your visit.

Chris

[FGFRANKLIN]

Site is down here again. Sheesh.

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

This book influenced me in high school so much we had an old welsh English teacher I loved to bits like a fat old village squire loud and interesting
I loved it we read it in English class in year 7
My friends hated it. I vowed if I ever had a daughter she would be named Bronwen yes I did and yes she hates her name
I loved your write here well done
It evokes memories x

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Julie. I can remember the film well. My valley isn't in Wales, but it is a beautiful green space which needs preserving for future generations. Good to have you stop by.

Chris

[Re-Pete]

i think it's pretty green. nature is a gift as are the harvest of your words. you took me away and i was there. we should all be so blessed as to be able to tread where you describes so emotionally. you really know how to paint a scene with heartfelt words ... :)

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Pete fur your lovely review. Means a great deal. All good wishes to you over the pond.
read moreThank you Pete fur your lovely review. Means a great deal. All good wishes to you over the pond.

Chris

[Corset]

we plant for future generations to enjoy, investing time into growing trees in hopes your dreams of limb and laughter do not get plowed under by developers. I've planted 7 new trees this year :D

[Chris Shaw]

Well done Corset for planting those trees. You are a caring soul. Thank you for stopping by.

Chris

[Corset]

My pleasure :D

[LJ]

This is good, solid rhyming poetry with a good meter, very important when rhyming, at least to me. Besides all that, the sentiment behind this is timely and also more important. I think in a smaller place like the UK, with its remaining magical places, conservation is key. It is everywhere, but in the UK the scenes played out seem more evident. Poetry like this can help. It could almost be a song. I really like the personification of the valley, and the idea that birdsong is equal to the sun when a place is refreshed. Lovely. And your "hope" in the second stanza hits all the harder. I once was with a man who made a living building and laying concrete - we used to discuss green places vs concrete. I never could admire what he did and personally, I wish I'd had a poem like this to show him. No more bricks! Thank you.
LJ

[Chris Shaw]

You are right about the UK. We are a small vastly populated island. It seems we are losing more and more green belt to make way for housing developments. Some would say that is progress, but not in my book. Many thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Chris

[Phill Oz O'fee]

The agricultural area in the UK at present, excluding woodland, accounts for about 72% of the total area of land. Your words reflect the need to protect and cherish the resources we do have for future generations! :-)

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Phill. Sadly we have lost many fields, woods and farmland where I live to make way for housing developments. Yes we need houses, but it is still a pity to see this happening. Once done, there is no going back. Hope all is well.

Chris

[Sami Khalil]

Let us keep our places semi- heavenly without man's destructive habits. Make your own heaven like the saying goes. Beautiful part of the world you describe for us marvelously. I like to enjoy sunrises and sunsets and see the changes.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Sami. I like sunrises and sunsets very much too and I do live in a nice part of the country. Sad to see farmland and green fields disappearing.

Chris

[Sami Khalil]

Wow! All true and well said. You are welcome Chris.

[lightsong]

I am like You dear Chris, I can't live without "Green" and your valley is lush and green, amazing how You swept the words in the second verse leaving a bigger message. I know the world and people are becoming more ignorant about nature each passing year and each generation that comes seem to be far from the originality and source of it. but we still have faith, and we still have hope and we can't live without them.

From across the lake, Good Coffee and Bright Morning for You my lovely friend ❤️

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you lightsong for your thoughtful and understanding review. Yes, I am fond of the green. All good wishes. I appreciate you stopping by as always.

Chris

[Cherrie]

I absolutely love the title. Took me first to a old movie I love. Then I traveled about 400 miles south and west to our cattle ranch. Where we chased cows pulled some calves, trained horses and bailed hay. Long days; good neighbors, and simple times.
I think the key to fulfillment is found in part in nature.

[Chris Shaw]

You are so right about nature Cherrie. Many thanks for stopping by to share your thoughts. All good wishes.

Chris