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The Source

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Published: 11th April 2021

Permission to use the image of The Thames Head granted courtesy of

https://toddledoddle.com

This poem was placed 1st in the "A STRAND (1066)" contest sponsored by Brian Strand (Judged 4th March 2022)

The official source of The River Thames (UK) lies in a remote Gloucestershire meadow on the edge of the small village of Kemble in The Cotswolds.

'The Source Stone' to The North Sea (via The Thames) is approximately 232 miles

On the outer edge of Kemble there’s a stone upon the green where a spring becomes a trickle in a pond. It seeps and then it flows under bridges as a stream towards the narrowboats of Lechlade and beyond. There is peace and so much beauty from The Isis* to The Thames winding dreams around the spires along its course. It flows on through The Tideway 'til its journey finally ends at The North Sea many miles from its source. * The Isis is an alternative name given to the River Thames from its source in the Cotswolds until it is joined by The Thame (a Thames tributary) at Dorchester in Oxfordshire - after which it is more generally referred to as The Thames.

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Paula Goldsmith

Date: 1/11/2023 6:55:00 AM

Back with Congratulation on yet another win. A wonderful write. Have a blessed day.................

Gary Radice
Date: 1/11/2023 7:03:00 AM

Thank you Paula. It's always been a wish of mine that one day I get to trace the source of The Thames from the Cotswolds to London. I'm not too bothered about the stretch after London when it makes its way to The North Sea. Still time I guess. :) Cheers - Gary

Komal Walimbe

Date: 5/14/2022 1:37:00 AM

Congratulations on your win! Imaginary and a great one! Have a great day Gary!:)

Gary Radice
Date: 5/14/2022 1:49:00 AM

I certainly will have a great day Komal - thank you - you too.. and thank you, for your great comments about my poem. Cheers - Gary

Brenda Chiri

Date: 2/6/2022 1:35:00 AM

Gary congrats on your win!;)

Gary Radice
Date: 2/6/2022 2:03:00 AM

Thank you Brenda! Cheers - Gary

Paula Goldsmith

Date: 2/5/2022 12:20:00 PM

Congratulations on your win. A "Lovely" write. I enjoyed this write/picture and added information. Have a blessed day/weekend.............

Gary Radice
Date: 2/6/2022 1:49:00 AM

Thank you Paula. I was in danger of making the background notes to the poem longer in length than the actual poem itself so I stopped when I did :) Thanks for the visit. Cheers - Gary

L Milton Hankins

Date: 2/5/2022 10:33:00 AM

So beautiful, Gary. I recall our visit to the Cotswolds many years ago. It was a lovely driving trip Deb and I took from London to Moffett, Scotland via an overnight in Wales. You made me want to return.

Gary Radice
Date: 2/6/2022 1:46:00 AM

Thanks Milt! We love the Cotswolds and Burton on the Water in particular. That sounds like on long drive to me - glad you enjoyed it. Enjoy your holiday! Cheers - Gary

L. J. Carber

Date: 1/12/2022 11:38:00 AM

Ah, Gary, you make me miss England!!! Congrats on your win, mate

Gary Radice
Date: 1/12/2022 12:13:00 PM

Thanks L. J. If you miss London (You either love or hate the place) then have a quick glance at these short poems if and when you find the time: they are among my own favourite writes. Read you soon and Cheers - Gary https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/london_town_primrose_hill_1350736

Christuraj Alex

Date: 1/11/2022 8:23:00 PM

Vivid depiction of the landscape. Congratulations!

Gary Radice
Date: 1/12/2022 12:10:00 PM

Thank you Christuraj. One day I'd like to walk the Thames Pathway. Cheers - Gary

Juliet Ligon

Date: 4/22/2021 8:36:00 AM

Beautiful, serene scene you described.

Gary Radice
Date: 4/22/2021 10:34:00 AM

Thank you Julie for your equally beautiful comments. Cheers - Gary

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 4/19/2021 11:52:00 PM

Your lyrical poem sings of the natural beauty of the area Gary. I really like the way you write. Congratulations. Blessings

Gary Radice
Date: 4/20/2021 3:49:00 AM

Thank you Connie. The journey from the meadow in the village of Kemble in The Cotswolds to The North Sea is approx. 215 miles. I had difficulty narrowing those miles into eight lines so I'm really pleased you like the poem. :) Cheers - Gary

George Yiorgos Stathakis

Date: 4/14/2021 7:54:00 PM

Love your descriptive rhyme. Congrats Gary!

Gary Radice
Date: 4/14/2021 10:19:00 PM

Thank you George for your lovely comments. Cheers - Gary.

Janice Canerdy

Date: 4/13/2021 5:16:00 PM

Gary, this is a skillfully-written, descriptive, lovely WINNING poem. CONGRATS! Janice

Gary Radice
Date: 4/14/2021 1:38:00 AM

Janice, thank you. I've finally arrived at a point where I'm totally happy with it - at long last! :) Cheers - Gary

Brian Strand

Date: 4/12/2021 11:18:00 PM

Ah yes Gary,the tidal Thames from Teddington,have spent many a boat trip thereon.My Dad received a scout medal for the rescue someone who fell therein at Kingston.

Brian Strand
Date: 4/13/2021 2:27:00 AM

Yes Gary,a way of being in the city but without the people & cars.Press on with your series.

Gary Radice
Date: 4/13/2021 1:22:00 AM

Hi Brian! I've been on many a boat trip too. I'm one of those northerners that actually loves London with a passion. I plan at some stage to write a series of poems about it. I saw a documentary about the Thames some time back and was surprised to learn how strong the currents are. Your dad deserved his medal.

Lonna Blodgett

Date: 4/12/2021 6:57:00 PM

Beautiful flowing description with words of rhythm and rhyme to take us there! Lonna

Gary Radice
Date: 4/13/2021 1:18:00 AM

Thank you Lonna! I appreciate your lovely comments. Cheers - Gary

Christopher Flaherty

Date: 4/12/2021 1:52:00 PM

Topical Gary Just watched a program or documentary about how water and sewerage companies are releasing untreated effluent in our river's.

Christopher Flaherty
Date: 4/14/2021 4:32:00 PM

Either way still eventually came out well in the end

Gary Radice
Date: 4/12/2021 3:22:00 PM

Hi Christopher - Thanks for reading. TBH I was pulling my hair out over this one..I wanted to write a poem about the source of the Thames and maybe add some metaphor in there about life / faith ..at one stage I was going to write some pollution message in there too..but I didn't..In the end I got so fustrated with it that it just turned out to be a simple poem about the life of the Thames in 8 lines. The world of poetry eh? :) Cheers - Gary

Michelle Faulkner

Date: 4/11/2021 5:07:00 PM

I like the rhyme scheme here, it all comes together so smoothly, inspires a serene gentleness~

Gary Radice
Date: 4/11/2021 11:01:00 PM

Thank you Michelle I really appreciate your comments particularly because I've been editing the poem over the last 24 hours due to not being happy with how it ends. I'm still not sure..If its changed since you first read it I apologise and hope you still like it. Cheers - Gary