Fairy Fields

 

among patchwork frosted fields

horses and scattered sheep

crop on brittle grass

crinkled leaves hang from trees  

thorns of yellow gorse

are sharp as elfin arrows          

smoky hills form an aerial perspective 

while clouds carry rumours of snow

the fairies all have coughs

and transformed princes

have crept on chilblained feet

to hide themselves till spring

 

Reviews

[Blackbirdsong]

What a lovely poem to come to on a late night/early morning...I feel blessed to have read this especially after all that's been going on around here with the bad feelings and those who think its their right to tell others what to feel and put them down.

These are perfect lines for me right now since we're in the middle of another blizzard -

"Smoky hills form an aerial perspective
while clouds carry rumours of snow
The fairies all have coughs "

A truly gorgeous write from you :)

[Nan]

What I love is the dose of reality that you interject. Fairies with coughs and princes with chillblained
feet is priceless. I have the same sentiments for winter. They're obviously waiting for spring
and new life to enliven the countryside.

I am too, winter would be fine if only it lasted a month or two. I think you're an imp
stirring up a bit of trouble! It's so sad to realize that even enchanted places have their
downfalls. Nicely rendered, Nessie, I love it.

Nan

[Susanna F]

I love it! You've captured the feeling of being in the country in winter very well. Magical.

[Micheal Teal]

Wonderfully lyrical - Rumours of snow - exceptional line. In but a few words you have created something stunningly original that enchants. There is a sustenance to your words that invigorates. Nicely done.

[jeRRy.whaLLey]

a lyrical realism painted with faeries breath and perfect moments surviving that living death of winters cold and lonely strife that seems barren yet yields always to Springs burst of life - here our Native brethren have animal totems representing our kinship to Natures boon and I'm from the Frog Clan and consider the lowly Frog a water nymph that shows the health of the land - when farming practises here began to use chemicals all were killed and the land became bereft over the years - so Frogs are Princes because like the Kings of the Celtic legends there health is intimately connected to the land from which we all come - the Green Man!

[April Child]

This is great, made me smile a big smile....

The fairies all have coughs

and transformed princes
have crept on chilblained feet
to hide themselves till Spring.

I like how you brought some reality into fairyland, also love the line 'while clouds carry rumours of snow'. The images are strong and true.

[Emily B]

I read this aloud to my daughter. She's ten and very much approved of the imagery. I love the short, curt words that felt like frost and icicles. I don't remember reading this before. I'm glad to find it on a cold night.