Sharps In May

(folklore and all that)

In May watch hedgerows come alive

as hawthorn waves, enticing white,

a welcome sight in lonely lanes.

Yet should you venture close to touch,

be warned of thorns whose sharps attack.

Once blood is drawn, you'll soon turn back.

No pleasing fragrance greets your nose

as musky, pungence lingers there,

decay and plague in warm spring air.

And dare you use the blooms in rooms

beware your fate our folklore states

as pestilence brings doom and gloom.

Since ancient times, hedgerows defined

the boundaries of owners fields.

When twentieth century brought neglect,

and hedgerows suffered sad decline,

new laws were sought and now prevail

to keep our country ways in check.

Reviews

[John Alexander McFadyen]

A whimsical and sweet reflection on nature and the hedge with some history thrown in. A lovely flowing structured piece. I often had to waffle amongs the Hawthorn to get to sloe [blackthorn] bushes. The cuts were worth the effort when the sloe gin was ready!

[Chris Shaw]

Ah sloe gin, those sharps would have been a small price to pay. Thank you John, for yet another thoughtful review. If I didn't say good morning to you before, I'll say it now.

Chris

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Aye being up at 05:00, mornings are long here in the semi countryside lol!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much Jimmy. Appreciating your support.

Chris

[Jimmy Yetts]

Things I, previously, did not know existed have become things I now know I knew nothing about.
Admittedly, a tiny progression.
Hedgerows were once natural fencing; word kinda hints at it.
Much appreciate your "country ways," Chris.
Your versifying ways ain't bad, either.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Jimmy. Yes hedgerows are natural fencing. All sorts of wildlife can be found in them. Appreciate you giving this oldie an airing.

Chris

[Coyote Poetry]

I enjoyed the poem. I researched hedgerows. They are beautiful. Would be nice if we would use. Thank you dear Chris for sharing your amazing words and thoughts.
Coyote

[Chris Shaw]

They certainly are beautiful Coyote. Pleased you researched them out. Many tha ks for your visit.read moreThey certainly are beautiful Coyote. Pleased you researched them out. Many tha ks for your visit.

Chris

[Coyote Poetry]

They were wonderful. Some places in the USA. Use them also.

[Amberlight]

. . . reminded me of: Stairway to Heaven. inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien. aka - "beware your fate our folklore states as pestilence brings doom and gloom."Title is very appropriate. ..................................I ;love hedgerows - always have "hedgerows defined the boundaries of owners fields."and now "hedgerows have suffered a sad decline,"

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Amberlight for your appreciated visit. Not familiar with the works of Tolkien though. All good wishes.

Chris

[Amberlight]

J.R.R. Tolkien Write The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings?

[R.E. Ray]

As I read this poem, I recalled World War II battles and the dreaded hedgerows, often smartly used by The Germans. We don’t see many here in the U.S., but the lessons apply. Much the same for those pretty roses that grow along the fence. It’s not just the pickets that stick you. One of my favorites, Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thank yous for your visit and I'm happy that you consider this one a favourite R E Ray.

[Stella Armour]

Look, admire ... but don't touch !
What a wonderful shrub nature made to keep field boundaries safe, keep animals in and trespassers out.
They look lovely too, a bit like the rose , its beauty comes with thorns.

Many of our fields have ancient stone walls , they too are beautiful in their own way ...

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Stella. I'm a huge fan of hedgerows and come to think of it ancient stone walls too.

Chris

[Stella Armour]

we build castles and fortresses but mother nature has her own ways :)

[Beccy]

Wonderful poem; lovely flow and rhythm and it follows the legend of the Hawthorn perfectly.

As for 'new laws,' all the red tape in the world is nowhere near as effective as a sturdy Hawthorn hedge. :))

Beccy.

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Beccy. I'm a great fan of the good old hawthorn hedge :) Thank you for your lovely review. When I put this poem on, it was three stanzas. Somehow with the glitches of yesterday the site experienced, the spacing has gone astray. Really appreciate your comments. Have a great Bank Holiday week-end.

Chris

[Eilis]

This is a cool take on the hedgerow, Chris. Taking it from the historic to the current moment. I don't know a lot about what you talk about at the end, but your poem makes me curious. Are there ordinances involving hedgerows there?

I was listening to a radio program from Ireland not long ago where they were discussing the loss of the hedgerows and how that was negatively impacting the environment. It's not a term that is used very much where I am, so it's not something I have a great understanding about. But I like to learn, and learn about places outside of my sphere.

We have a lot of wild spaces, but often they are spaces that have been plowed and then grown back in kudzu and blackberries, so there's not a lot of diversity. I would like to see an untouched landscape like what I imagine from reading the beginning of the poem.The start of the poem is lovely in its evocation of the beauty.

Anyway, I enjoyed your poem. The folklore aspects are always fascinating to me, and the way you wrapped it up by coming around to the current reality of controlling nature left me feeling unsettled. Great work.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Eilis, thank you for considering and commenting on this poem. Hedgerows were ripped from farm lands sometime ago, but more recently their true worth has been established. We see the replanting of hedgerows taking place now. A fascinating source for wild life. All good wishes.

Chris

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

Makes me think of how even the most beautiful things can hurt you as well. Especially beautiful people.
Of course I also think of the wonderful smells that come with spring.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Dale. We must be on the same wavelength. I have just reviewed one of yours :) I appreciate your visit.

Chris