Recollections From the Golden Cree Ii

Past unconcerned hens that distractedly 
Scratch
Under frowning protestations from the
Sheltered Lee;
Into the cloaked shadows lain across the 
Cobbled courtyard,
Behind which squats the twisted form of
The old brooding, arthritic apple tree.
Past the neat little cow-byre 
Hosed and fastidiously scrubbed out twice 
A day 
With a fine tooth-comb;
The quaint and dipping, straw filled barn
Attaches itself determindedly  
To the crooked gable
Of Barjargs contented farmyard home.

Those cubit-width walls of Igneous rock,
Once weathered and drab,
Now thoroughly soaked in glistening white
Washed foams.
Slated, cool pantry with smooth and 
Polished marble slab;
Where, lying somewhat dejectedly,
To dispose:
Many a brace dispatched by the indifferent
Priest -
Glassy eyes staring out blankly 
In death's stiffened and vacant repose;
The early mornings freshly collected 
Brown eggs
Carefully arranged in woven baskets;
Pints of thick and creamy, unpasteurized
Milk
Poured into decorative, high-sided, orange
Coloured bowls.

Orange like the rusting sunbeam trapped
Inside each steaming droplet of summers
Oily dew;
Orange like the flattened landscape 
Arising distantly...
Under the slowly emerging far eastern
View.
Blurred outlines upwardly forming
When slowly peeking through;
Gathered veils pulled back to reveal 
Wantonly appealing, shimmering twirls 
Of palest streaky blue.

The seldom trod tracks that I knew so 
Well -
Remnants of an unremembered 
Iron Age;
Ancient tramping peoples
That bravely traversed - to hopefully evade,
The terrible grasp of Merricks awful hand
That squeezed the Silver Flowe
Into tangled blankets of knitted bog and 
Squelching peat;
Black slimes that downwards...downwards...
Downwards seep...

Smothering the cleansed bones of this long
Forgotten race;
Fragments of these shattered tribes 
Now nourishing sweetest meadow flowers...
Where, sprawling thinly, they perpetually
Strive
To quietly propagate;
Sacred memories of blue painted faces
The swirling shrouds of chilling mists 
Do avow to forever keep;
Comforting and protective roots gently 
Wrapping around the sanctuary of their 
Deeply immersed and sunken sleep.

Still onward's flowed the singing river
As between her watchful banks she 
Gratefully swept;
And covered by the racing stars I 
Wrapped about myself -
And in happy contentment soundly slept!
Onward flowed the jagged ripples 
That fractured the obscured reflections 
Within the streams -
As onwards sped the joyful passions
That bubbled over inside my eager dreams!
Copyright © | Year Posted 2016

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Cresswell Avatar
August 23, 2017 at 8:56 AM
Bliss to read!
Fleming Avatar
August 25, 2017 at 12:34 PM
Thank you, Patricia...your kind and generous remarks are always so very encouraging - much appreciated! Cheers! :) john
Marcum Wong Avatar
August 22, 2016 at 7:41 AM
This beautiful piece truly comforts a poet's heart John. Wow! "Fragments of the shattered tribes Now nourishing sweetest meadow flowers: When sprawling thinly to quietly Propagate" I admire the talent it takes to write something so hauntingly stunning! I love this poem! I was very happy to see a new post from you. I hope you are well my friend. 7 ; )
Fleming Avatar
August 25, 2016 at 4:23 AM
Thank you, Connie, for these kind and generous comments. What wonderful days they were...A blessed and contented childhood exploring and fishing on the banks of the golden Cree! All my very best as always, Connie...And my warmest wishes. :) john P.s I intend to write more about this beautiful river very soon. :)
Inman Avatar
June 5, 2016 at 8:50 AM
You've set a wonderful tone in Part II weaving the reader into a deeper, very rich secondary theme, then leading us back to your original poem in the last stanza. You have some masterfully written phrases here such as, "The old brooding, arthritic apple tree"
Fleming Avatar
June 6, 2016 at 10:54 AM
You have chosen one of my more favourite phrases there with that particular one, James. One of my better efforts I feel. :) Glad you are enjoying the read...I truly do appreciate your interest! My very best regards, James. :) john
Marcum Wong Avatar
May 27, 2016 at 5:15 AM
Oh John, it is poems like this I was envisioning when I wrote "Inspiration" for this poem is a poets dream, a piece so finely honed as to inspire the best of the best who might read your words. I love this! I finally was able to put my voice to one poem, Inspiration, to try out the new feature. I would adore hearing your voice read one of your poems. Thank you for giving me more inspiration with this gem I am faving! #7+ Blessings, Connie
Fleming Avatar
May 28, 2016 at 9:14 AM
My dearest Connie. It is not for just any reason that you are my most favourite visitor and commentator; you are without a doubt a great motivator for myself...and a lot more people besides! Thank you, my most valued friend, for your lovely comments. As far as recording one of my poems and uploading it...Yes I may well attempt this sometime in the very near future. My very best regards, Connie...And my most sincere, warmest wishes for you. :) john
Chuan Seng Avatar
March 18, 2016 at 8:37 PM
This 2part so very much enriches the 1st part... You have woven a uniquely route into the past... Beautifully crafted with words both familiar and alien... An exceptional nostalgic excursion for the mind... A reading that recalls and refreshes the mind... Wow!
Fleming Avatar
March 19, 2016 at 7:43 AM
Hi, Keng. I really do appreciate the comments you have made; these emotions you describe are exactly what I was trying to achieve when writing this poem. Much obliged! My very best regards to you, Keng. :) john
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace