From Eyesore to Sight For Sore Eyes

(praise where praise is due)

where once this landscape was a mess
of gravel pits and ugliness
within a flood plain of the Thames
a transformation's taken place

how flawless is it's new attire
where gleaming lakes and swaying trees
make walks beside the water's hem
an April gift of happiness

a natural habitat it seems
a perfect spot to pause and dream
while waterfowl and chirping birds
are company along the way

where bindweed trumpets greet the morn
in shades of pinks and pearly whites
give thanks and praise for what is seen
our local planners got it right

Reviews

[Neville]

Ha .. how I so wish my very dear friend Steve 'Havoc' Hewitt my blood brother and partner in crhyme could be around today to wallow and rejoice in these words .. He was a very fine town planner who believed in creating healthy towns and cities .. I dare anyone to read his obituary in the Guardian without either shedding a tear or returning to these fine words for a second helping of heaven :)

[Chris Shaw]

I know I would have liked him Neville. I must make a point of looking up his obit in the Guardian. What a loss he must be to you. Thank you for visiting the lakes and spending some time there.

Chris

[Gee]

Places like this are priceless. They are an escape from the everyday hurly, burly of life and all of it's dramas. It's so lovely when there is no sound but that of bird song and the odd lunatic dog barking.
I think Max and I would enjoy this place very much Christine. You paint an inviting scene m'dear.
Hope you are well Christine and enjoying the not to bad weather.

[Chris Shaw]

It really is a lovely place Gee and only a couple of miles from home and next door to the marina. Great for dog walks. Many thanks for checking in. Yes the weather is better. Make sure you enjoy it too:)

Chris

[Coyote Poetry]

I have Lake St. Clair near. The lake and trees. A utopia for us who love nature. I loved this poem dear Chris. Thank you for sharing the amazing poetry and your thoughts.
Coyote

[Chris Shaw]

This is a special place Coyote and so close to the river. We all need places like this where we can find some peace. Thank you for your encouraging review.

Chris

[Coyote Poetry]

Was my pleasure and you are welcome, dear Chris.

[John the Baptist]

Sometimes planners do get it right, and it sounds here as though they've created a nice haven from a wasteland. The planners in my area, on the other hand, insist on putting a convenience store/ gas station and a tire store right down the street from me, regardless of the fact that we already have several of both in the immediate area. Maybe I'll try to get dual citizenship.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks John. They certainly got it right here. It's a beautiful place to spend time.
read moreMany thanks John. They certainly got it right here. It's a beautiful place to spend time.

Chris

[Aura]

This sounds like a beautiful transformation. It makes me think of a nature park with a sidewalk thing for people to walk through. It sounds really beautiful with a water fall and listening to chirping birds. This seems like the place where I could picnic!

[Chris Shaw]

It is a perfect place for a picnic. Thank you Aura, I appreciate your visit.

Chris

[Aura]

You are welcome!

[TyRy]

Love the idea of transforming something unpleasant into something beautiful. Reminds me of how abandoned cars and houses can also look beautiful when nature overtakes it.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for stopping by to review. Your comments are appreciated.

Chris

[DIVYA]

They really need to be lauded for their labor of love. They must have toiled so much to turn the eyesore into a visual treat and now the results are there for all to behold. Nature rewards so beautifully if we nurture it and give it a helping hand. Enjoy your April walks, dear friend. Feel the joy and the beauty around you.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you DIVYA, we are fortunate to have this lovely area. So uplifting to walk there. Really appreciate your review.

Chris

[KAREN]

I like the way this read and how things were old but was made new.
a natural habitat it seems
a perfect spot to pause and dream
while waterfowl and chirping birds
are company along the way
Love that stanza.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Karen for your review. You are appreciated.

Chris

[KAREN]

You are welcome!

[Beccy]

It really is a pleasure when such transformations work, and 'praise where praise is due,' is indeed the perfect choice of words.

Your poem is both lovely and well crafted and and flows seamlessly from first line to last. Really enjoyed.

Beccy.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much Beccy. Yes this area in the flood plain has been completely transformed. It is so beautiful now. A far cry from the gravel pits. Something to celebrate and something which will give many people pleasure.

Chris

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

I so enjoyed this piece. I am reminded of the evolution of home. A town that grows and begins to sprout its beauty through time. Walks along the countryside that were once filled with bland empty space or disheveled shrubs are transformed. Given new life and beauty. You take us the reader along with you on this journey of change. One that we may often miss in our own lives if we do not truly see the beauty around us that's growing. A lovely poem Chris with a deep meaning to it.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Carlos. I appreciate you stopping by and leaving such a thoughtful review. All good wishes.

Chris

[Fran Marie]

A lovely vision of nature being
restored to its beauty for
all to behold; a sight for sore eyes
once again a well crafted
poem ..nice work

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Fran. Yes everyone will benefit. The old gravel pits were ugly and now they are beautiful lakes. An exercise in how to do something and restore it afterwards.

Chris