The Back of Beyond

silhouettes of tall conifers
in the distant dark
stand in quiet silence
like an army of sentries
on night time duty

guarding the gardens
of houses built by Edwardians
to last into the twenty first
century or beyond
where red brick is sound
where it is safe and
where it speaks of solid
craftsmanship

silver moon has seen it all
from when the first foundations
were laid to when walls grew
tall to roof level topped by
slates of doldrum grey
where bay windows opened
on to lonely dust tracks

where now the street lamps
gleam an amber glow
on cars parked
where once the odd horse
and cart would pass by
from nearby farms

Reviews

[Neville]

You just walked with me along the Crescent .. I dont mean the one in Bath although that would have been lovely, I mean Delapre Crescent Road where I spent much time as a youngster with my parents and younger siblings .. a nice trip down a well trod path .. thanks for that our Chris .. Neville

[Chris Shaw]

Happy to have accompanied you along Delapre Crescent Road. What a beautiful name.I had my roller skates on:) Pleased you enjoyed some nostalgia today. Happy Friday my friend and a big thank you for knocking on my front door:)

Chris

[Neville]

you are indeed more than welcome as I am pleasured :)

[Chris Shaw]

Good afternoon Neville :)

[Dave Brown]

Nicely done
one of the aspects of "Move to the Country" is observing those very stone houses, barns and fencing.
Solid stone houses here are are an exceptional rarity and the flames came nothing for quality or craftsmanship
Our tall line of sentries is currently mourning as a country slowly burns from sea to sea and all they can do is wait and watch along with the rest of us.

[Chris Shaw]

You do love that programme don’t you Dave? I watch it too on occasions. What has happened over there? Sounds awful. All the best.

Chris

[Chris Shaw]

I am understanding now what has occurred with wild fires in Canada. How sad and frightening. Keep safe Dave.

[Dave Brown]

Sorry, didn't get back to you
Yes, huge mess
worst ever
Quite close to us is an area of ancient trees called Cathedral grove where uncontrolled flames are now threatening.
That would be an incredible loss.
And no one has addressed the uncountable wildlife losses, seemingly trapped between walls of flames coming from every direction
take care

[Chris Shaw]

Tragic situation. Take care Dave.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

everything back then, made to last....everything now, made too fast.
craftsmanship, pride in what we did...that seems to be becoming extinct...like the old street lamps you mention.
a nice poetic photo here.
j.

[Chris Shaw]

Yes, made to last J. The craftsmanship back then was and is still certainly celebrated. Many thank yous.

Chris

[Ken e Bujold]

impressive Chris. very e.a housemanesque. i especially enjoyed the 2nd stanza, in particular "where red brick is sound" quite an evocative image.

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Ken, truly appreciate your early visit. Have a great day. Trust all is good with you.

Chris

[Ken e Bujold]

all is good. not much in way of new works, mostly researching, refreshing the memory banks for few new themes i want to explore. hopefully output will tic upwards in the near future.

hope your day is going well too
ken

[Chris Shaw]

A lazy start Ken, but much to do later. Take care:)