Post by potia on Jun 7, 2011 13:22:08 GMT -1
I wrote this poem a few years ago during one of my stronger efforts to better tune into the spirits of the land I live on. Following conversations in Wales about connecting to places I decided to share it here.
Ancient Clyde, I stand on your banks and dream
Of times long past when you flowed wide along this valley,
Bringing fertility, nourishing generations with the bounty of your waters.
Hand of man has narrowed your path since then.
Shipyards grew along your built up shores
Providing work for new generations,
Until now with yards closing and jobs no more.
What will your future bring?
Dear Green Place, at one time trees in all directions
Then man came and brought fields to take the place of trees.
Fields of rich earth to grow food for all
Rich grazing for cattle and sheep.
Then more buildings grew and still more
But still you are deserving of that title.
Now parks abound between city buildings
Trees, shrubs and flowers displayed within them.
And in the streets more trees flourish.
Will you always remain so green?
I turn now to you, streets of Glasgow,
Terraced flats, “The Close”, spread out within you.
Communal washing lines at the back.
“The press” by the door with broom, brush and pan
And maybe a mop and bucket within.
A “piece and jam” thrown to the kids playing in the street.
A fish supper for dinner with lashings of salt and vinegar.
“Mornin’ hen” from a neighbour as you pass
Smiles from the people of the friendly city.
Will you always remain so welcoming?
The University with its throngs of students
Gothic style buildings with tower and quadrangle.
The memory of thousands of students walking your paths,
Climbing your spiralling stairways.
Four hundred and fifty years of history.
Scientists, linguists, artists, politicians, medics and vets,
All these and more have grown within your walls.
How long more will you help our future learn?
At your heart shopping centres, offices, theatres and clubs
Where thousands gather to shop, work and play.
Streams of people flowing along your streets.
Parade of buses taking people out from the centre
Carrying your blood to your limbs.
Never silent, never truly resting
Cycles of rush and noise as you breathe, your heart pulsing
With the rhythms of the city you have become.
Railways and roads carry us around your body,
Carry us beyond and back again.
We become your words as we take your messages out
Beyond your boundaries to the land beyond.
Words of a Spirit strong and powerful,
Of a life long and fulfilling.
We carry your words to the peaceful spaces of the country
And we return to the vibrant rush of your life
With messages of love from your brothers and sisters
Of the land beyond the boundaries of The Dear Green Place.
Ancient Clyde, I stand on your banks and dream
Of times long past when you flowed wide along this valley,
Bringing fertility, nourishing generations with the bounty of your waters.
Hand of man has narrowed your path since then.
Shipyards grew along your built up shores
Providing work for new generations,
Until now with yards closing and jobs no more.
What will your future bring?
Dear Green Place, at one time trees in all directions
Then man came and brought fields to take the place of trees.
Fields of rich earth to grow food for all
Rich grazing for cattle and sheep.
Then more buildings grew and still more
But still you are deserving of that title.
Now parks abound between city buildings
Trees, shrubs and flowers displayed within them.
And in the streets more trees flourish.
Will you always remain so green?
I turn now to you, streets of Glasgow,
Terraced flats, “The Close”, spread out within you.
Communal washing lines at the back.
“The press” by the door with broom, brush and pan
And maybe a mop and bucket within.
A “piece and jam” thrown to the kids playing in the street.
A fish supper for dinner with lashings of salt and vinegar.
“Mornin’ hen” from a neighbour as you pass
Smiles from the people of the friendly city.
Will you always remain so welcoming?
The University with its throngs of students
Gothic style buildings with tower and quadrangle.
The memory of thousands of students walking your paths,
Climbing your spiralling stairways.
Four hundred and fifty years of history.
Scientists, linguists, artists, politicians, medics and vets,
All these and more have grown within your walls.
How long more will you help our future learn?
At your heart shopping centres, offices, theatres and clubs
Where thousands gather to shop, work and play.
Streams of people flowing along your streets.
Parade of buses taking people out from the centre
Carrying your blood to your limbs.
Never silent, never truly resting
Cycles of rush and noise as you breathe, your heart pulsing
With the rhythms of the city you have become.
Railways and roads carry us around your body,
Carry us beyond and back again.
We become your words as we take your messages out
Beyond your boundaries to the land beyond.
Words of a Spirit strong and powerful,
Of a life long and fulfilling.
We carry your words to the peaceful spaces of the country
And we return to the vibrant rush of your life
With messages of love from your brothers and sisters
Of the land beyond the boundaries of The Dear Green Place.