Rural sounds

& lowing steers that hollow echoes wake
Around the yard their nightly fast to break
As from each barn the lumping flail rebounds
In mingling concert with the rural sounds
While oer the distant fields more faintly creep
The murmuring bleatings of unfolding sheep
& ploughmans callings that more hoarse proceed
Where industry still urges labours speed
The bellowing of cows with udders full
That wait the welcome halloo of “come mull”

& rumbling waggons deafening again
Rousing the dust along the narrow lane
& cracking whips & shepherds hooting cries
From woodland echoes urging sharp replies

#poetry #environment 

#honesty

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The cow boy

Last on the road the cowboy careless swings
Leading tamed cattle in their tending strings
With shining tin to keep his dinner warm
Swung at his back or tucked beneath his arm
Whose sun-burnt skin & cheeks chuffed out with fat
Are dyed as rusty as his napless hat
& others driving loose their herds at will
Are now heard whooping up the pasture-hill
Peeled sticks they bear of hazel or of ash
The rib-marked hides of restless cows to thrash
In sloven garb appears each bawling boy
As fit & suiting to his rude employ

#poetry #environment 

#honesty

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Silence & shame

I looked on the eyes of fair woman too long
Till silence & shame stole the use of my tongue
When I tried to speak to her I'd nothing to say
So I turned myself round & she wandered away
When she got too far off why I'd something to tell
So I sent sighs behind her & walked to my cell
Willow switches I broke & peeled bits of straws
Ever lonely in crowds in Natures own laws
My ball room the pasture my music the bees
My drink was the fountain my church the tall trees
Who ever would love or be tied to a wife
When it makes a man mad all the days of his life

#poetry #environment 

#honesty

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My illness was love

I peeled bits of straws & I got switches too
From the grey peeling willow as idlers do
& I switched at the flies as I sat all alone
Till my flesh blood & marrow was turned to dry bone
My illness was love though I knew not the smart
But the beauty of love was the blood of my heart
Crowded places I shunned them as noises too rude
& fled to the silence of sweet solitude
Where the flower in green darkness buds blossoms & fades
Unseen of all shepherds & flower loving maids
The hermit bees find them but once & away
There I'll bury alive & in silence decay

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Anna Maria

On the 2nd June, 1820 Anna Maria was born.  John and Patty had been married for less than 3 months, and were living back in the tiny cottage in Helpston with John’s mother and father.  In time it would become very crowded indeed.

My Anna summer laughs in mirth
& we will of the party be
& leave the crickets in the hearth
For green fields merry minstrelsy

I see thee now with little hand
Catch at each object passing bye
The happiest thing in all the land
Except the bee & butterfly

& limpid brook that leaps along
Gilt with the summers burnished gleam
Will stop thy little tale or song
To gaze upon its crimping stream

#poetry #environment 

#honesty

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The hymn of day break

List to the hymn of day break when the woods 

Echo in harmony where lark & thrush 
& blackbirds music thrilling low & loud 
Ah didst thou witness 
What the morning is when sun beams sweet 
As curdling through the dewy misted panes 
Checkers the wall & urges thee to rise 
Couldst thou but tell 
What charms which Ign'rance passes unconcernd

#poetry #environment 

#honesty

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The vixen

Among the taller wood with ivy hung
The old fox plays & dances round her young
She snuffs & barks if any passes bye
& swings her tail & turns prepared to fly

The horseman hurries bye she bolts to see
& turns agen from danger never free
If any stands she runs among the poles
& barks & snaps & drives them in the holes
The shepherd sees them & the boy goes bye
& gets a stick & progs the hole to try
They get all still & lie in safety sure
& out again when every things secure
& start & snap at blackbirds bouncing bye
To fight & catch the great white butterfly

#poetry #environment 

#honesty

Comments welcome below