John Fleming Poet Rhyme

And I Heard Again Those Voices

And I heard again those voices, 
 Buoyed upon a murmuring wind, 
   And oyster-catchers with their
  Distinctive, shrill-piping call;
The plaintive cries of floating 
 Curlews,
   Carrying on that wind, 
  As spilt sunset
Settled over the ruby-red, wine-coloured
 Moor.
   Blazing purple heathers --
  Distant bellows from rutting stags --
The whirling grouse...
 And close by, opposite my quiet little
   Door,
  Seldom seen otters, whistling when
Calling their playful mates,
 Splashed and sported in shallow runs
   And shadowy pools:-
  Opaque, amber waters, swathed
In brilliant starlight,
 Reflecting intensity displayed overhead;
   Night's rich velvet skies encrusted in
  Sparkling jewels.
 
Yes, as darkness begins to fall,
 With drowsy eyes half-shut...
   Again, I see and hear it all.  
 
  For it is certain, I have now become 
Familiar with what is truly meant...
 To have to endure an ever waking 
   Discontent.

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Rowena Velasco July 26, 2025 at 11:45 PM So vivid and moving, John. I felt like I was right there in the scene—then that quiet ending hit me. Beautifully done. John Fleming July 27, 2025 at 4:48 AM You are most welcome, Rowena. When I was in my teens, I used to travel up to Scotland and spend weeks at a time on a moorland farm, in Ayrshire, called Barjarg. The man who ran the farm was a tenanted farmer called Bertie McCulloch. I used to stay in a caravan right next to the River Cree...it was only fifteen paces from the vans door. Twenty miles of river to cast my fly - happiest days of my life! :) john P.s never to come again.

Kim Rodrigues May 2, 2021 at 1:53 AM Sights and sounds of discontent dreams. We yearn for them to as you relay this lovely place in imagery. Hugs...Kim

Sara Kendrick April 28, 2021 at 4:07 PM Very descriptive and creative work. I could almost see the scene and hear the birds and animals. Your visit to my page was encouraging. Sara

Brenda Chiri January 10, 2021 at 5:19 PM My dear John seems I have been lax in reading your words of late! I do hope you will forgive me!? But as always you spark my interest and keep me coming back for more!:) All my affection Brenda

Andrea Dietrich December 28, 2020 at 1:20 PM wow, this is such an interesting ending on this very desriptive poem, as if it all were a dream? You are exellent with imagery!