Jan Allison Poet Couplet

Notes About The Poem

Images printed with kind permission of Ray Kelly

Overlooked Beauty

Hidden away on our lush verdant hills
are crumbling houses and derelict mills

These ancient buildings are tumbling down,
many people ignore them with a frosty frown!
 
If folks just opened their eyes and they weren’t so aloof
they’d learn a Tholtan’s a building that’s missing its roof!
 
Tumbledown cottages  covered  with green velvet beauty
I’m going to explore these old Tholtans, I feel it’s my duty!

I saw a grinding wheel which  milled  grain when it turned
and a charred fireplace where a blazing  fire once  burned

If only walls could speak they would tell a story
of a once thriving building in its original  glory

Inspired by a talk from Ray Kelly who has opened MY eyes to the hidden beauty of these Tholtans. 

Overlooked beauty contest
Sponsored by Jesse Rowe

11/5/18

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John Castellenas March 18, 2019 at 4:33 PM Photos and words. Outstanding. I like the ancient places. The story, these walls could tell. Jan Allison March 18, 2019 at 4:55 PM Thanks so much John, the poem was inspired by the talk by Ray Kelly it took me some time to locate him to get permission to use his awesome photographs:-) hugs Jan xx

Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart February 10, 2019 at 12:09 PM Back with Congrats! <3 The photos are gorgeous :) xomo! Jan Allison February 13, 2019 at 2:53 PM thanks Maureen I went to a talk/slide show by Ray and it inspired the poem:-) hugs Jan xx

Joseph May February 8, 2019 at 5:00 PM Very nicely penned Jan..Congrats on your win Jan Allison February 9, 2019 at 1:49 PM thanks Joseph:-) hugs Jan xx

Janice Canerdy February 8, 2019 at 1:58 PM CONGRATULATIONS on your well-deserved win! Janice Jan Allison February 9, 2019 at 1:49 PM thanks Janice:-) I've added some pictures today:-) hugs Jan xx

Line Gauthier February 7, 2019 at 11:25 PM Wow looked up Tholtans... Very cool. Congrats on your win, Jan. Jan Allison February 9, 2019 at 1:48 PM thanks Line:-) I've added some pictures today:-) hugs Jan xx

Judith Kerttula January 26, 2019 at 2:03 PM Nice, nice, nice...So many people do not appreciate things of the past. Thanks for sharing. Jan Allison February 9, 2019 at 1:48 PM thanks Judith:-) hugs Jan xx

Gershon Wolf December 18, 2018 at 7:57 PM A treasure! Nicely-penned, Jan! Season's best. ~ Gershon Jan Allison February 9, 2019 at 1:45 PM thanks so much GW:-) hugs Jan xx

Carolyn Devonshire December 16, 2018 at 3:26 PM How I would love to hear the stories these old structures could tell. For the architecture alone, preserving some of them seems essential. Today's new homes are rarely as well constructed. Enjoyed your poem, Jan. Congratulations on your win in Brian's contest! Best wishes, Carolyn Jan Allison February 9, 2019 at 1:44 PM Thanks Carolyn to see the pictures makes you realise they are so beautiful!:-) hugs Jan xx

P.S. Awtry December 16, 2018 at 2:59 PM Congrats Jan on your win. Old buildings have something to say and yes much overlooked beauty. I remember an old barn that leaned, and leaned, and leaned some more, for years...until it finally fell. Like a piece of art I'm sure it meant different things to different people. Well done :) Jan Allison February 9, 2019 at 1:40 PM thanks PS Awtry:-) I've added some pictures today:-) hugs Jan xx

Connie Marcum Wong December 16, 2018 at 2:26 PM I am so happy to see this wonderful poem get more attention Jan. Congratulations on your first place win! : ) xxoo Jan Allison February 9, 2019 at 1:39 PM thanks Connie:-) I've added some pictures today:-) hugs Jan xx

Wren Rushing December 16, 2018 at 12:58 PM Well written Jan! Congrats on your win. Jan Allison February 8, 2019 at 5:58 PM thanks Wren:-) hugs Jan xx

Andrea Dietrich November 11, 2018 at 1:27 PM You did a wonderful job describing these old buildings, Jan . I have so much yet to do today I am trying to only spend maybe 15 min. here!! Jan Allison November 11, 2018 at 2:15 PM I need to rewrite my 8 x 8 I have a new idea based on my original thoughts! Hugs Jan xx

Gershon Wolf November 10, 2018 at 7:44 PM Nicely done, Jan. Evocative imagery. I can sense the walls speaking. Just love these kind of places, dripping with history. :) gw Jan Allison November 11, 2018 at 2:14 PM If you can see beond the crumbling walls there is so much hidden beauty:-) hugs Jan xx

Connie Marcum Wong November 10, 2018 at 12:49 AM This is excellent Jan. It flows like honey off the tongue. There is such enchantnent in ancient ruins, even more so when the history is known! Bravo! : ) Jan Allison November 11, 2018 at 2:13 PM Thanks connie, im still waiting to try and co ta t ray kelly for permission to use some of his pics:-) Hugs Jan xx and

Maurice Rigoler November 9, 2018 at 6:26 PM I feel the same way about discarded old things left only to rot. Good flow to your lines along with good rhymes, too. Thanks for reading about "Poor Margo" and her sunning tube demise. BTW, Hell is a mistranslation of the Greek Hades, which, like Hell, doesn't exist, so you won't be going there at all. Best to you. / M Jan Allison November 11, 2018 at 2:12 PM thanks for the info maurice... as im being cremated i know ill be going somewhere hot lol:-) Hugs Jan xx

Charles Messina November 8, 2018 at 8:49 AM I love the imagery in this, Jan. Excellent write a fave. Best wishes for a win...hugs // Charlie xx Jan Allison November 11, 2018 at 2:11 PM Thanks so much for the fave charlie! Hugs Jan xx

Eve Roper November 6, 2018 at 2:40 PM Great write, Jan, luck in the contest :) Jan Allison November 11, 2018 at 2:10 PM Thanks eve:-) Hugs Jan xx

W.A. Cholt November 6, 2018 at 7:21 AM Distracted as we are in this modern world, we miss out on so much. Time to stop and appreciate the beauty around us. Jan Allison November 11, 2018 at 2:10 PM I never knew about tholtans until i went to a talk on them a few weeks ago:-) Hugs Jan xx

Mike Gentile November 5, 2018 at 12:08 PM Jan, this was such fun to read. Great composition and lovely imagery. A terrific idea for the contest Happy Monday xxoo Jan Allison November 11, 2018 at 2:09 PM Thanks mike:-) Hugs Jan xx

Chris Green November 5, 2018 at 8:22 AM I have always been enthralled and enticed by old abandoned buildings and structures. I find a surreal beauty in their history and in their existing condition. But then again, I seem to find beauty in a lot of things other's don't. I never knew they were called Tholtans. Nicely done Jan. Jan Allison November 11, 2018 at 2:08 PM They are called tholtans here on our island, im not sure what others would call them apart from derelict ruins:-( Hugs Jan xx

Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart November 5, 2018 at 8:15 AM Very cool poem Jan. good luck in the contest! xomo Jan Allison November 5, 2018 at 8:20 AM Thanks mo I hope to post some of Ray's stunning photos with the poem:-) hugs jan

Tom Cunningham November 5, 2018 at 8:09 AM A shame that old buildings are left to rack and ruin. Love it when someone takes it on and restores them to their former glory. Good luck. Tom. Jan Allison November 5, 2018 at 8:15 AM There is so much beauty and history still remaining especially agricultural machinery which is still in situ. I'm hoping to get permission from Ray Kelly to use some of his pics which really reveal the breath taking beauty of our Manx Tholtans hugs Jan xx

Kim Rodrigues November 5, 2018 at 7:39 AM So cool! Funny how we love the new but also the old! Jan Allison November 5, 2018 at 7:41 AM There is so much history in these Manx Tholtans and Ray Kelly has written three books with absolutely stunning images. I've mailed him to ask permission to post some with the poem:-) Hugs Jan xx