Conversing with Blake

It is a known fact
that as he stood admiring
a fine skyline of the city of London,
in all its breathtaking splendour,
Blake conversed with the sun
from atop Primrose Hill.

Content I would have been,
if he'd sat with me, upon this bench
hewn out of a fallen tree,
strategically placed to appreciate
the quiet slopes of our valley.

Sweeping from feet to depths below
while the glow of sol burnishes
where meadow hay once danced.
Now cut back, rolled, perfectly baled
to bake in warm sunlight.

Like ink blots on yellowed parchment,
crows in random rows,
in their black coats and tails
pause in golden stubble,
resembling musical notes
on a composer's manuscript.

I am singing, I am singing.

Reviews

[Betty Hermelee]

I wish he could have stood with me….atop….and the the loveliest images begin to appear before our eyes, the hills, valleys, farms, the crows all dressed in their black suits “ resembling musical notes”… on and on with magical imagery… so we’ll done Chris.
Best,
B.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Betty for visiting this old poem out for an airing. You are appreciated.

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

My pleasure Chris😊

[Marie-Louise.]

So you should be dear Chris. What a beautiful poem. It would make us all sing, especially with your pictorial manuscript. Blake would have joined you I am sure.

[Chris Shaw]

Your lovely review is very much appreciated Marie-Louise. Thank you so much.

Chris

[Jimmy Yetts]

Pure poetry elegantly portrayed.
You consistently create high quality verse, Chris.
It is a great pleasure to read your work.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Jimmy for your praise and your very encouraging review. Helps no end.

Chris

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Christine... your poem has subtle enuendis of life’s symphony as composed with lament for the loss of Meadows sweet with primrose and Clover. It is reminiscent of the Birds that gather in the flat railing in the deck outside of my large kitchen window. I daily leave oiled Sunflower seed and shell peanuts. The Crows devour the seeds and fly away with 🥜 Peanuts. The bright Red Cardinals and their pale brown gray mates bring their young fledglings and eat the remains left. Other birds join them such as Miyrning Doves and chickadees in season. The Urban view is broken with skyscrapers. Love the musical black Ink Ravens overtures on Parchment. truly, Pat

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Pat your response is incredibly poetic. A delight to read and I thank you. All good wishes.
read moreDear Pat your response is incredibly poetic. A delight to read and I thank you. All good wishes.

Chris

[kentuck14]

The images here are great . . . reminds me much of upstate NY where we lived for many years . . . sitting atop arcadian hills with a view of mowed fields now spotted with giant rolls of hay. Think I will post one of my poems regarding this. The similies are splendid: "Like inkblots . . . parchment"; "resembling musical notes" (Tho I must say North American crows are not very musical). The last line is wonderful and expresses real joy. Congratulations.
T

[Chris Shaw]

Pleased you enjoyed this one Tom. Good my lines brought some memories back to you. Look forward to seeing one of your own posts on a similar subject. All good wishes and my thanks to you.

Chris

[barleygirl]

I used to be afraid of poems that refer to classic poets becuz I have no background in the arts, so I don't pick up on hidden nuances. Yesterday I read "Emily Re-imagined" by R.E. Ray . . . his poem & this one of yours have banished my aversion to this trend for writing about classic poets at the cafe! Both poems are great in many of the same ways. I love that there's no need to be knowledgeable about a classic poet to become very immersed in the scene & the sensations you are conveying here. You supply everything that's needed. My literary inadequacies mean nothing! Yeah! This is how it's done to sparkle for those knowledgeable or not! I was very much immersed in your word-painted scene! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Chris Shaw]

So please you enjoyed Margie and that your fear about the classical poets has gone. I may have read many of the classical poets, but I can very rarely remember who wrote what, yet alone anything about them personally. Blake I do renember because I was with a poet friend on Primrose Hill once and saw the quote that Blake made about the view. Thank you muchly for your lovely review.

Chris

[Shoshana]

immaculate! i fell in love with this wonderful write Chris! I wish to go to London one day... I've always wanted to. :))
-Shoshana

[Chris Shaw]

So pleased you enjoyed my efforts here Shoshana. I am smiling from ear to ear. Thank you.
read moreSo pleased you enjoyed my efforts here Shoshana. I am smiling from ear to ear. Thank you.

Chris

[Terpsichore]

A Londoner born and bred, Blake would have both enjoyed and admired this poem. It's very evocative and carries echoes of his time; how London would have looked before it became little more than a smog filled car park.

T.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much for your wonderful review. I am a Londoner too and have stood atop Primrose Hill myself. Born in Hammersmith, but now reside in the shires. I appreciate your thoughts and your visit.

Chris

[gram linski]

Blake would have loved the evocative beauty of this as do I, awesome poem, Chris, loved the random crows as musical notes

[Chris Shaw]

Really appreciate such an encouraging review gram. Thank you :)

Chris

[Robert Trakofler]

That is a splendorous song sung sweet in a scenery of senses:) lovely lovely lovely Chris

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Bunny, pleased you heard the music, but then I knew you would.

Chris

[Pryde Foltz]

That was wonderful. You have a very elegant and well-developed pen. Nice place to hang out in ... this poem:)

[Chris Shaw]

So pleased you enjoyed the write Pryde. Pleased to meet you and I thank you for your welcome visit. All good wishes.

Chris

[Pryde Foltz]

Thank you, Chris:)