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

[Lydia Shutter]

I can relate to this one, Christine. When I was in high school, walking along the shore in Fort Lauderdale or Hollywood was such a pleasure. We would walk for miles and see nothing but the sand, the sea, and the seagulls. Walking there now we see only high rise condominiums and a shrinking beach. It is sad. What will our children and grandchildren see? Will there be any open space for them to enjoy? I often wonder. Your love of nature comes through loud and clear here. Lydi**

[Chris Shaw]

I think that's it Lydi**, the thought that our children and grandchildren will miss out on something which was so precious to us. That there will be places they can visit for respite and where they can be at one with nature. Thank you

Chris

[θεά]

A universal plaint, sure to tug at several heartstrings, resonate with many minds. What have we done to our olden hamlets, family houses, quaint little by-lanes where we rambled as kids? Is quality of human life to be measured only with material and quantifiable things?

Your poem is soused with nostalgia and a yearning to a simpler time. The ending is a gentle diatribe against the receding shoreline and smothered skyline.

A terrific write.

Best,
M.

[Chris Shaw]

I love how that final line of yours sums up my thoughts. Thank you Mallika.

chris

[Jimmy Yetts]

Understandable sentiments--lovely, as well.
A write I'm glad I didn't miss!

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Jimmy, for checking this one out. Your thoughts appreciated.

Chris

[Flowers of Eternity]

This is such a refreshing poem Chris!
I really enjoyed reading it!
And your right!
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.
My favorite lines!
I really do hope it won't happen in the future...

[Chris Shaw]

Flowers of Eternity (so gorgeous that name), thank you so much for your appreciation of this piece of poetry.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

reminds me of two things i really like....well Vermont...loved that state...and our vacations there.
and the movie...

this reminds me how i always look at areas here in Southern Illinois and seeing how beautiful the landscape is, wish that those areas will never be overrun by industry, malls or apartments and high rises.

j.

[Chris Shaw]

Yes that movie, all people of a certain age remember that one with much affection Jacob. Pleased my poem reminds you of p!aces you are fond of and want to stay unspoiled.

Chris

[Davidgeo]

Articulate American hillbillies should love this.

That may not sound complimentary but it was.

[Chris Shaw]

Hello David. Haven't got a clue why articulate American hillbillies would love these lines, but I'll take your word for it. Hope you are doing ok and thanks for checking in.

Chris

[Davidgeo]

You're so automatically sweet, it almost disturbs me.

I can't properly explain what I meant by that in a comment.

Have you ever heard of a show that goes by the name of Ozark? Usually I'd start talking about "to kill a mockingbird" in this instance but I think that show is fine modern place holder.

[Chris Shaw]

Nope can't say I have but I am very familiar with How To Kill A Mockingbird. Maybe I'll look up Ozark. You make me sound so very sugary :)

[Davidgeo]

It's on Netflix. There's no real parallel between 'mockingbird' and Ozark. Just different versions of something marginally similar. It's an excellent show overall if you can stand a little semi-unpredicted unpleasantness at first.

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks. I'll check it out sometime.

[LKBillips]

A freshly harvested field on a brisk fall day. Love this picture you paint. It is sad to see farmland being taken over by industry. That happens a lot where I live, as the population grows they just keep expanding. I wish rather they would fix what's already here, refurbish and repair. Nice poem Chris. I'm excited for fall now. :)

[Chris Shaw]

We are losing green belt land as our population increases and the need to build more housing continues. Places that I loved years ago are now under concrete. Thank you LKB.

Chris