Best Countryside Poems
‘far from the madding crowds’ and cars
this green and pleasant land of ours
conceals behind its dry stone walls
secrets, streams and waterfalls
where stepping stones that gather moss
shine forth and tempt us both across
to distant fields of eighties’ skies
now clouded through autumnal eyes
where sheep still bleat as we both pass
along old paths of weathered grass
rekindling thoughts as each track weaves
of first love, hope and burning leaves
that once infused a simpler air
but linger still inside somewhere
to guide us on those wistful miles
through woods, past farms and over stiles
in search of where we sat and spent
time dreaming dreams of dreams we dreamt
over the hills and far away
inside a world called yesterday
and where we’d stay ‘til light turned late
in fields beyond the kissing gate
where now through smiles and gentle tears
reflecting on those forty years
it feels like time has flown so fast
since young love asked if love could last.
It's just August and I can't wait
to ramble with you through the countryside
that sparkles in a fresh glossy green cover;
After long spells of rain, the sun gently peeks out,
and green leaves glisten in soft sunlight;
Aw the rain drops on large banana leaves
like beads of pearls strewn about, shining.
Date: 08/09/2022
For Just August Contest
Sponsor: Andrea Dietrich
when winter woke and dealt its hand
it froze the heart of cumberland
as icy air dispersed in spades
to twist and cut like razor blades.
small pools of water turned to glass
to shine like diamonds in the grass
while freezing sprays from waterfalls
formed icicles on wet stone walls.
when nature's breath turned all air warm
the earth embraced another form:
the snow that fell - now sadly gone
decked out a land to look as one.
if elements of that year's weather
could club the fells and fields together
why can't the jokers do the same
and follow suit - and raise their game?
In my countryside, silent at sunset
Long gone is the stress, long gone is the fret,
Long gone is the need to be so wide-eyed
Silent at sunset, in my countryside
Calm now are my skies with their colors bold
Streaks of blue marry with orange and gold,
My mind long gone astray, as the crow flies
With their colors bold, calm now are my skies
Another day ends on my small hometown
It's old, sunbathed bricks now shading brown,
As dusk creeps in corners, silence descends
On my small hometown, another day ends
Down the sun dips behind my shadowed pines
And so easily now my head reclines,
Watching and awaiting some dreamy trips
Behind my shadowed pines, down the sun dips.
I love to sit under a tree
And smile as songbird sings,
He cocks his head and stares at me
And drops white slimy things.
And now behold, the leaves above
Reflect a change of season
A touch of brown, a flare of red
A dripping, sappy lesion.
Migrating robins from the north,
Their song too sweet for words,
Awake my soul; my heart calls forth,
“Shut up, you idiot birds!”
My eyes are like a dried up sponge
And soak in scenes of nature,
The tree, the brook, the winding road,
Some dead, runover creature.
And with my love, in peaceful bliss
As frequently I am
She shares with me in one sweet kiss
Her life, her soul, her phlegm.
And in a flash of brilliant truth
When fireflies start to dance,
I relive golden days of youth
(And promptly wet my pants).
Happy April Fool's Day, everybody!
Wrote this in college the night before a final
when I should have been studying...
From deep beyond the canyon rim,
Appearing at first night;
The moon appears upon a whim
And relays its borrowed light.
Then rising there above the knoll,
Through wisps of misty white;
The moonlight falls as flakes of snow
Upon the countryside.
~M
Dear All
Hot today. Hired a car. Took to hills. Travelled far.
Narrow road. Never ends. Sweat on wheel. Hairpin bends.
Glanced at temp. Glanced at fuel. Aircon found. Turned to cool.
Island sun. Not like ours. Single track. Other cars.
Parked at top. Lovely sight. Valleys. Vineyards. Left and right.
Church looks out. Opened door. Spanish writing. Walls and floor.
Candle lit. Sat for prayer. Silence deep. Everywhere.
Dark and cool. Warm in feel. Off The Strip. Life here's real.
Gary & Ann
X
As the wind songs play,
Ivory clouds take the lead:
Dancing with the hills.
Sam the Cat I am
I'm a boy cat and my name is Sam
People tell me how lovely I am
Perhaps they're right, I am sort of cute
Guess it’s down to my shiny smart suit.
I love to wander when I’m outdoor
Wildlife to stalk, places to explore
Must return home eventually
Especially when it's time for tea.
I feel sad for my neighbour Kitty
Always stuck indoors, what a pity
Watching me play from the window ledge
Why doesn't she come out and stretch her legs.
She watches me running wild and free
Chasing the birds that fly from the tree
Whatever is it, why should it be
Kitty won't come out to play with me.
Heard the folk who own her saying that
Kitty is afraid of mice and rats
That seems so odd and strange to me
Cooped up and never to roam freely.
Kitty has a coat of copper fur
No one was ever as sweet as her
Huge amber eyes alike almond drops
That send my heart a flip-pity-flop.
I pray for Kitty to play outside
For her to roam round the countryside
Being together the whole day through
Many a prank two of us could do.
Chasing butterflies, the birds and bees
Super-charged squirrels who run at speed
There's plenty of field mice we would tease
As a duo we'd do it with ease.
If I were given luck and the chance
We two could be enjoying romance
Beneath moon and silvery starlight
"Kitty, come out and start living life."
8th August 2021
A Home in the Countryside
Who could resist,
The country greens,
The clean air,
And the wonderful scenes?
We lived in a house,
In the middle of a field,
The green grass stood by,
The trees a shield,
The smell of freshness,
The scene of joys,
The feeling of peace,
The silent noise.
We sat on the porch,
The evening so long,
We just sat and relaxed,
Till the dinner gong.
In the night we saw,
The stars so bright,
The sky so black,
Against their twinkling light.
A scene of serenity,
All year round,
Makes the heart give,
A joyful pound.
Age can never erase memories of yore,
For there's an old but lovely song still rambling
In my head as I love to go a wandering
Along the vales or up the mountain sides,
Fetching flora, photographing fauna and sampling
Wildflowers, collecting leaves fancy or plain.
Study trees, evergreen or autumnal bare.
How I loved to stop near some clear rill.
There would be daffodils I’m sure up on some hill.
Checked which song birds choose to build their cosy nests,
Birds picking up small or curvy twigs with care.
Even today I ramble along the vast countryside,
Sometimes I rest, imbibing the air so fresh,
Watch some little children playing joyfully
With young nuns in front the impoverished crèche.
Bells ring from a chapel calling for prayer,
I join trusting my sins the good Lord would spare.
Come my love, let's rest under the lilac trees,
Hear the vast countryside sing with dewy grass,
Birds fly high twittering their mating allure.
I look only on your face so smooth, so class.
It's now late afternoon and birds go to rest
Let's enjoy the soft breeze that meander through
Tall trees, swaying lightly in the evening and
There a cottage , walls covered with flowers blue.
There we'll have a high tea, a splendid cook's fare
Till the sun disappears and darkness covers
The terrain so green while a slice of red moon
Ascend slowly, lightens us as two lovers
We watch the bright landscape in magic moonlight.
I feel her face resting on my shoulders, tired.
We ascend for a good night's sleep in our room,
We kiss and know we have what love we required.
Cold howling winds have finally died
And a spring sun’s decided to abide
There’s no sweeter place than countryside
What a wonderful time to send the kids outside
Reclaiming a chunk of ‘me’ time I decide
To tackle that novel and sit by the fireside
Hang stress out like an old faded apron to hide
It’s the perfect moment to feel thoroughly satisfied
Plenty of time later to be busy and preoccupied
Children intoxicated with spring are wide-eyed
Exude joy and freedom in their stride
Silly with excitement, wild and cock-eyed
Running free up and down the hillside
I see no reason for chide
As I watch them eagle-eyed
Smiling with so much love and pride
Thinking of days gone by as a guide
When I'll call them back inside
The kids will be exhausted, bonafide
With rosy cheeks into bed they’ll glide
Won’t take long choosing a side
For tonight’s treasured stories at bedside
AP: Honorable Mention 2022
Submitted on March 10, 2018 for contest SPRING FLING ZING KING (OR QUEEN) sponsored by MICHAEL VASEK - HONORABLE MENTION
Once and never again
Once and to the end
Come and gone...
When my feet traveled on
Down a newfound road
Carrying me along
Hitching and hiking
The busy highways
Rushing and fast paced
Straight and narrow
With nothing to see
It was more about
The destination then
And not the journey
Those seem to be
The longest roads, too
And the ones
I wanted to spend
The least time on
It was the backroads
The winding, country roads
That were far too short
Where I lingered the longest
And those roads were rough ones
With steep hills and tight curves
Neither could you see around
The abundance of nature
Blocked your view
But it gave you
Something of beauty
To look at on the way
So much so that you
Didn't mind the journey
Once and never again
Once and to the end
Come and gone...
Changing like the seasons
Moving on in time
Leading to new decades
Leading to new roads
And once forgotten paths
Not crossed in ages
Come and gone...
Lightning bug flying
here to there to here to there----
countryside neon
Its light display, fabulous
can’t say as much for spelling
For Brian’s “Tanka Me” contest
© May 24 2010