ELEMENTAL




This year I have missed my Autumn and Winter visits to England. I have always loved the autumn in Warwickshire, the freshness in the air, the glory of our deciduous woodlands as their leaves change from green to gold, the fast flowing rivers after a summer of heat and drought in Spain. As I dip into winter knowing I will be back in the light and sunshine I am charmed by its chill, our walks on crisp ground wrapped up against the wind, home to cosy rooms.


Change is sometimes forced on us and the death of my parents and sale of the family house has ended the frequent visits to my childhood home in Coventry.  For now, I am happy where I am, with my family in the Spanish village which has become our home. Indeed, the very thought of getting off the plane at Birmingham airport and not driving straight to the old house is still too hard to bear so I have not yet faced going back. I am content with the memories of special times and special people, knowing that before too long I will be back, to see my dear family and friends, walk around Kenilworth Castle, gaze as always in awe at the beauty of Coventry Cathedral, browse the bookshops, stop for tea and cake and maybe get caught in the rain again in Berkswell. This poem remembers one such walk I shared with my daughter, our joy in the storm will live with us always.



ELEMENTAL


Through the churchyard,
graves buried under primrose,
petals smiling with sunshine,
past preaching cross,
Saxon steps worn with pilgrim's tread,
under beech boughs,
woven, tangled overhead
into an embroidered canopy
of spring green and white hawthorn.
Blink into light, track winding
between brook and reeds,
wooded slats springy underfoot,
to higher ground midst ancient oak,
turn to view the trailing path,
sky darkened by swift moving storm,
blotting out the late noon sun,
waterlogged clouds chasing
nearer, nearer, running,
outrunning, we are caught,
rain drenching, primal, torrential.
Filled with storm power, arms aloft,
showered faces, cracked in laughter,
dancing with nature, boots splashing,
embracing elemental energy.



























© 2017 Jacqueline Claire Knight.  All rights reserved. 























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