Pen devoid of poems
adventure long overdue
living room carpet
growing long in the tooth
I’m pining for movement
so keen to get out
I’ll go walking down
to Holly Hagg
Little glimpses at normality
haloed by golden rays
There’s no poison
in the idle river
no politics
in the quiet horse
cantering to
another chew
The clouds of working day
part while I’m out walking
bathed in nature’s endless beauty
which never disappears
only ever obscured by thought
or perspective
Eased back into focus
on the road
to Holly Hagg
With every step I take
the tension unspools
And there are words, waiting
ideas that come to me
pinned to ancient fenceposts
nestled in the cracks between the stones
making up the wall
that keeps me on the road
to Holly Hagg
The walk becomes a gallop
blood pumping in my chest
body now loose enough
for every step to be a dance
I am light and free
as I close the distance
on my prized poetry
and the generous view expands
beyond Holly Hagg…
[2020]
Thanks for reading.
Enjoyed this one, Tom.
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Ah thank you Kim, I’m so pleased. All I can manage to write these days is lockdown reveries, but this has been my most elating discovery. Who knew their was a high to be found in simply moving! 🙏
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Really nice the cantering in the horse, and the mirroring of that in the narrator running, the freedom feeling… the momentary escape from lockdown and/or work, and the inspiration that fresh outlook and movement brings from nature…
“And there are words, waiting
ideas that come to me
pinned to ancient fenceposts
nestled in the cracks between the stones
making up the wall
that keeps me on the road…”
I especially like that part, very visual and evocative!
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Thanks Lia 🙂 You have picked my favourite bit too. Exercise is just magic isn’t it; lifts your mood and brings you inspiration too. I’m really pleased you enjoyed, it’s so rewarding to share those moments of pure happiness with others through writing these little poems of mine. 🙏🏼
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Totally (re: exercise)!!! Thanks so much for reading my work, was happy to find yours in return, the walks/runs in nature are definitely something I can relate to! 🙏🙌🌻 That last poem of yours about your grandfather though was truly a work of art as well. Keep sharing! :)))
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Aww thank you again. High praise indeed. 🙏🏼
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I enjoyed this one Tom. I was going to message you and ask what you’ve been doing lately for inspiration for your writing, as mine seems to be waning as of late. And here you answered me in your poem! I just need to go for a walk in nature! Thanks!
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Hi Alisha, thanks so much. I was glad to be able to record this little discovery in a poem (AKA time capsule) to reflect on in years to come. What an odd year. All my recent poems (A Most Comfortable Prison, Holly Hagg, Cairo On The Radio and Step Change) came to me while out walking. If you’re looking for inspiration, it’s out there waiting; get the blood pumping in your chest and it will present itself. I’m looking forward to reading what you put down. 🙂 Tom.
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