Places

If I could be any place I have Lived
it would be back in dear Dar-es-Salaam
this is where I left my heart moons ago
a simple yet enthralling and lovely place

Everything one needs on the doorstep
exotic fruits filling the various trees
gay birds of multi colour singing so sweetly
the sparkling ocean just a hundred yards away

Instead I now live still in outstanding beauty
my house built in 1918 is sturdy and charming
it has served me and my family loyally and well
over the years I have turned it into a sheltered haven

My garden now a paradise for butterflies and birds
three ponds I have built within its serene bounds
full not of koi or carp just of sticklebacks and rudd
five species of newt now call them home and frogs galore

Very private which suits this old hermit so well
at the top of my back garden, a shady thirty year old oak 
it was just a sprig of ten years when I planted it there
keeping it company a British Lime and a wonderful walnut

All of these I planted over 23 years ago some hazelnuts too
a most wondrous Bramley apple tree always so bountiful
so much more besides to delight my eyes as I potter around
taking pause I reflect on other homes and decide that here

Here in this place I have all and more that I could ever want
that my life is happy and settled and so much inspiration
surrounds me, my grown children close to hand and many friends
who I would sadly miss. This place here and now I know and love 


written 09/15/2013

Contest  Know Your Place
Copyright © | Year Posted 2013

Poem

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Devnath  Avatar
September 17, 2013 at 9:51 AM
A heavenly place drawn in to a beautiful picture where everything heart wants are seen. Lovely done, my friend. Good luck in the contest. Loved always, bl
Hamilton Avatar
September 17, 2013 at 10:02 AM
Bl dear always a lovely review from you so encouraging TY Shadow x smile
A   Avatar
September 15, 2013 at 8:26 AM
Hi Linda, a lovely poem, and place tto share, "wishing you the best in the contest...Linda
Hamilton Avatar
September 15, 2013 at 11:20 AM
ty Linda always you encourage gl to you as well Shadow x smiles
Mehta Avatar
September 15, 2013 at 8:14 AM
Wherever one lives, the native place is such a perfume, one would like to smell, Shadow
Hamilton Avatar
September 15, 2013 at 11:22 AM
dear Dr Ram this is so true ty for your encouragement Shadow x smiles
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