A Leafy Land

A Leafy Land

      To the North and East, green sloped Downs above
      The Weald* of Kent. Beneath, the Pilgrim’s Way
      Where Monk, traveller and Penitent walked
      And Chaucer wrote of the Canturbury Tales.
      A land of ancient paths; Chestnut and Oak,
      Where Kings and Princes held castle towers.
      Oast Houses; beacons to ancient crafts,
      Red brick, half timbered dwellings, pan tiled roofs.**

      Meadows of buttercup and columbine.
      A historic land of hops and fruit.
      A leafy land where Jute and Saxon came.
      To the South, the bleak and lonely Marshes,
      A land of sheep and one time smuggler’s haunts.
      Then to the West, high chalk Downs and Sussex.
      Beyond, the sea surging on shingled shores
      Where the Saxon yielded to Norman Sword. 

* Weald – Saxon – A forested or uncultivated tract of land. Probably related to ‘wild’.

**Pan tiles - A type of pan baked clay tile used in the Eastern counties of Scotland and England, rarely in other parts of the Country. First imported from Holland in the early 17th Century.

     06/11/17
Copyright © | Year Posted 2017

Poem

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Dietrich Avatar
June 26, 2017 at 9:59 PM
It makes me think of scenes from the Hobbit .Such a charming place it be!!
Stebbings Avatar
June 27, 2017 at 12:41 PM
Ha, ha, ha, I see what you mean, Andrea. I had not thought of that. Thanks for commenting. // Barry
Hoffman Avatar
June 11, 2017 at 8:52 PM
Intriguing and interesting write Barry!~Che :)
Stebbings Avatar
June 12, 2017 at 10:59 AM
Thank you very much, Cheryl. // Barry.
Turner Avatar
June 11, 2017 at 8:16 PM
God save the Queen! For a moment I was back in world history:) Nicely penned, Barry.
Stebbings Avatar
June 12, 2017 at 10:58 AM
Thank you, Daniel. // Barry
Cozart Avatar
June 11, 2017 at 5:33 PM
Very compelling and graceful. Blank verse?
Stebbings Avatar
June 12, 2017 at 10:58 AM
Thanks for your comment, Dale. Not sure about Blank Verse, it doesn't have strong meter when read aloud. // Barry
Sands Avatar
June 11, 2017 at 4:03 PM
Great interesting poem Barry :)
Stebbings Avatar
June 12, 2017 at 10:56 AM
Thank you very much, Heidi. // Barry
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