The Back of Beyond

silhouettes of tall conifers
in the distant dark
stand in quiet silence
like an army of sentries
on night time duty

guarding the gardens
of houses built by Edwardians
to last into the twenty first
century or beyond
where red brick is sound
where it is safe and
where it speaks of solid
craftsmanship

silver moon has seen it all
from when the first foundations
were laid to when walls grew
tall to roof level topped by
slates of doldrum grey
where bay windows opened
on to lonely dust tracks

where now the street lamps
gleam an amber glow
on cars parked
where once the odd horse
and cart would pass by
from nearby farms

Reviews

[Neville]

You just walked with me along the Crescent .. I dont mean the one in Bath although that would have been lovely, I mean Delapre Crescent Road where I spent much time as a youngster with my parents and younger siblings .. a nice trip down a well trod path .. thanks for that our Chris .. Neville

[Chris Shaw]

Happy to have accompanied you along Delapre Crescent Road. What a beautiful name.I had my roller skates on:) Pleased you enjoyed some nostalgia today. Happy Friday my friend and a big thank you for knocking on my front door:)

Chris

[Neville]

you are indeed more than welcome as I am pleasured :)

[Chris Shaw]

Good afternoon Neville :)

[Andrew John]

Oh, so good to see the past, be it the conifers or memories of horses and carts. I rather enjoy what you're doing with light here.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Andrew. Pleased you enjoyed your visit. Have a great day.

Chris

[red93]

Excellent vignette Chris, a real slice of England one presumes, very atmospheric and painterly in the application.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Tony. Have a wonderful weekend my friend. Yes a slice of the road where I live.

Chris

[willweb]

Some things do seem to last forever and their beauty is enhanced by every passing year. Loved the scene you created Chris. I am a big fan of architecture of all kinds. This was amazing.

[Chris Shaw]

I like architecture too will and sadly not the modern sort. Thank you for your visit. Be sure to have a grand weekend.

Chris

[willweb]

Sadly not so grand

[Patricia Wedel]

I could hear the gallop of the odd horse and Cart in the bygone years.. even now we watch the old Sherlock Holmes movies with the horses galloping down the City Streets… we seem to have lost the Natural way of living and communicating. Prayers still ascend from our 💜 heart to Heavens 🌈..Rainbow… Be strong, my friend… Pat

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Pat and a very good Thursday to you. Your review echoes my thoughts. Sending love across the waves 💐

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Chris… an Echo from Earth across the Globe where Ships have passed in the Night with Treasures from faraway places where 💜 hearts become entwined and Poetry is written in the Sky… wishing you the most lovely day with Lilly petals floating across the Pond. softly, Pat

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Chris... we are losing the sentimental touch-- even Horses can never be replaced by Robot horses.
It is sad to lose the heart and soul of human beings as well as Nature. tenderly, Pat

[Chris Shaw]

Not all change is for the best dear Pat, yet there is a tide of it coming our way soon. Let’s hope we don’t drown in it. Many thank you for stopping by.

Chris

[FGFRANKLIN]

Think what is must be like for an ancient bristlecone pine who was growing sapling when the pyramids in Egypt were being built. Talk about your sentries of the ages! I liked this. It's sort of a natural noir piece depicting the passage of time.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Fabian. Those ancient pines you speak about have seen a few changes. Pleased you stopped by. All the best.

Chris

[Akinlolu]

My favorite phrase: tall conifers
in the distant dark
stand in quiet silence
like an army of sentries
on night time duty.
We love the past but I guess none of us can stop the endless tide of change. We can only look back and admire the good old days, especially when we lack the power to bring it back. A beautiful poem. I love It

[Chris Shaw]

Not all change brings improvement Akinlolu. These days something has been lost in the finer detail when it comes to craftsmanship. It is very noticeable in an area where there are new builds alongside the old. Many thanks fir your visit and your kind review.

Chris

[Dave Brown]

Nicely done
one of the aspects of "Move to the Country" is observing those very stone houses, barns and fencing.
Solid stone houses here are are an exceptional rarity and the flames came nothing for quality or craftsmanship
Our tall line of sentries is currently mourning as a country slowly burns from sea to sea and all they can do is wait and watch along with the rest of us.

[Chris Shaw]

You do love that programme don’t you Dave? I watch it too on occasions. What has happened over there? Sounds awful. All the best.

Chris

[Chris Shaw]

I am understanding now what has occurred with wild fires in Canada. How sad and frightening. Keep safe Dave.

[Dave Brown]

Sorry, didn't get back to you
Yes, huge mess
worst ever
Quite close to us is an area of ancient trees called Cathedral grove where uncontrolled flames are now threatening.
That would be an incredible loss.
And no one has addressed the uncountable wildlife losses, seemingly trapped between walls of flames coming from every direction
take care

[Chris Shaw]

Tragic situation. Take care Dave.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

everything back then, made to last....everything now, made too fast.
craftsmanship, pride in what we did...that seems to be becoming extinct...like the old street lamps you mention.
a nice poetic photo here.
j.

[Chris Shaw]

Yes, made to last J. The craftsmanship back then was and is still certainly celebrated. Many thank yous.

Chris