St Oswald's church is huddled in the vale
of Grasmere. Yew trees along avenues
relinguish cones between the granite tombs
in shadows decked, their muted roots reseed
as tiny trailing fingers feel for loam
with olive tips that dip through waves of sage.
He planted seven trees where shadows grow
beneath the marbled slabs, sad stones bewail
the loss of fragile flesh; but tendrils drill through clay and claw towards the gilted sun.
The summer breeze appears to animate
the listless leaves that twist like mournful hands.
Above a steeple's cross; below the earth
where darkly Hecate conspires rebirth.
William Wordsworth born in 7 April 1770
at Cockermouth in the English lakes
this man had great love of nature
inspiring him for poetic stakes
Losing his parents in early childhood
his sister Dorothy became a real friend
after school moving to university
gaining his BA before Cambridge did end
In 1790 travelling around Europe
for three months touring
with only a small case on hand
visiting France and Switzerland on route
Composing his masterpieces walking by the lakes
having Dorothy to do his dictation
in 1795 met his great friend to be
Samuel Coleridge together at same station
When later returning to France
met Annette became an affair
when 'Vaudracour and Julia' was penned
from this came Anne Caroline by the pair
Wordsworth was the master of the classics
such as his autobiography 'The Prelude'
as well as 'wandered lonely as a cloud'
something to suit whatever your mood
Meeting Mary they got wed in 1807
living at Grasmere at Dove Cottage
in 1913 moved to Ambleside's Rydal Mount
lived there till dying at 80 years of age
Today you can visit his museum
at Dove Cottage in Grasmere
with lovely gardens on view
being inspired into poetic gear
Walkers gather throughout the year
In Keswick, Ambleside and Grasmere
They come to walk the fells
No matter the weather wet or clear
They travel from near and far
To follow the maps of Mr Wainwright
Who walked these same fells in the past
And left a memorial to follow aright
They are many to choose from
Helvelyn, Helm Crag, Catbells and Skiddaw
That’s just a few from the many
You have all kinds in which to draw
Be prepared for all eventualities
Good boots waterproofs ect. are a must
So are water to drink and food to eat
Then looking upwards in prayerful trust
They also are captured on film
Featuring Julia Bradbury on DVD
To follow the steps of dear AW
Giving hope and inspiration for you and me
poetgord
I look upon Lady Grasmere, from atop Dunmail Raise,
as she lies in her amphitheatre of beauty unsurpassed,
mere language cannot express words powerful enough to praise,
to describe such a vision,such a total sensory blast.
This bejewelled goddess of Mother Nature's glory,
laid out before me on a bed of velvety green,
telling a wonderful and very ancient story,
throughout the millennia, by many adoring eyes seen.
And still she lies in mostly natural splendour,
little of her changing as each new age doth pass,
I stand gazing, I'm awestruck, and I surrender,
my whole being, willingly, to this little Lakeland lass!
Today I understood Wordsworth,
I walked where he had been
The lake, such beauty all around,
I saw what he had seen
Upon the glassy water
A mirror image of the hill
So intensely breathtaking
The lake was utterly still
Each single blade of grass reflected
Each daffodil seen twice
Azure sky dashed with cirrus clouds
Like frozen into ice
The slightest breeze I could not feel
The sun looked painted there
I took the deepest breath I could
Lungs filled with Grasmere air
The perfectness of all I see
An intoxicating sight
To improve on such beatitude
Is to soar just like a kite
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