To Take A Photo

The tide recedes 

birds on the growing shoreline

search the newly uncovered mud for a bite to eat

as a ship; slowly chugs along the river then mours up

large listed houses stretch along the shoreline lane

standing magnificenly

each surrounded by huge walled gardens

most hiding securely behind sturdy stone walls

many with large metal artisan made gates of intricate designs

with intercoms and very discreet letter boxes

a sprawling Georgian house looks out on the river

small cottages hide behind selectively overgrown gardens

beautifully wild and full of colour 

a row of small white fishermen's cottages

run back from the rivers edge

the river which their tenants once worked

and all this is lit by a setting sun 

as it pops out from behind the huge passing clouds just one more time 

reflecting it's light on the wet muddy reaches

creating a canvas for me to take a photo

Countryside

Huge lime trees under vast skies

green clad goliaths

sit in clumps

silent and mighty

poppies banished to the edge of wheat fields

specimen trees in parkland 

protected by fencing

sheep eying them up - chat amongst themselves 

distant cars fly along the road

crows in trees - argue

and a cricket pitch waits for summer

(Haiku)

the lady on the 

horse could do with investing 

in a new sports bra

Rain

rain - the first rain in weeks

bringing a feeling of freshness - maybe we'll sleep tonight

smell that earthy smell

the smell you get after the first rain following a dry spell

the sound of raindrops on thirsty hard ground

gardeners rejoice - the water-butt's refilling

hot soft road surfaces; steam

the dust washes off everything 

turning a muddy brown

gutters and gullys run

washing away all the detritus which had no reason to leave

filling the 'summer rivers' once more 

catharticly washing everything clean

freshening

reviving

and renewing

At The Beach

a little girl plays in the waves as they break on the shore

she has no words to express her excitement 

shrieking and squealing 

she chases up the beach

"look at me! look at me!" say her screams

as she runs

occasionally tumbling

pushing boundaries she plays

Mum and Dad look on and smile

perhaps remembering the simple joy

being at the beach

and playing in the sea once brought

Two older brothers play along - only making less noise.

Walking

the sound of my feet on the hard baked ground 

is almost as loud as the noise from a passing plane

hanging

as if suspended by a piece string 

high in the quiet blue sky

full with holidaymakers off to far flung lands

the distant traffic joins in with the bird song 

hear the low murmur of a far-off tractor working the land

the silent rays of the early morning sun catch the buttercups in the hedge 

golden yellow adding to the palette of greens and browns

poppies in the wheat field 

islands of red in an ocean of young verdant wheat 

silently growing

soaking up the suns rays 

slowly turning golden 

and swaying

sending waves 

rippling across the field as we walk by