At the Tithe barn (Inspiration Point) (14th October 2008, 3.46pm)
At the Tithe barn, we played
horses, circling, neighing,
cantering on overgrown hooves
where once they came;
tenant farmers in droves
to pay the church tax;
a tenth of their grain;
time frozen between walls
and a sense of waiting.
We slid on the smooth stones,
polished by centuries of feet
and we smiled for the click,
click, clicks; suddenly tourists
in our home county.
Into the warmth of the Lock Inn;
We queued for the healthy option,
feta cheese and olives, while
he plumped for an over-whelming
breakfast; a greasy Boatman’s.
Up on the towpath, we
pretended to push each other
in; laughing in the October
sunlight, the canal alive
with movement and
chimney smoke, the
Sunday boats chugging,
newspapers rustling
at ignored scenery.
We stopped at the Cross Guns,
orange juice and coke
nursing hangovers, broke,
cash-rich only for ice-cream.
Coming home, waving to
a neighbour strayed from home;
you said you loved his boat;
he told me the champagne was ready,
whenever you cared to call in.
Comments
Silver Spun Sand | October 14, 2008 - 15:50
This is quite beautiful, Jennifer. You conjured up such a vivid picture with your words. Loved these lines:-
"Sunday boats chugging,
newspapers rustling
at ignored scenery ..."
It is so true what you say here. Many of us unfortunately don't 'stop to smell the roses.' Such a great pity.
Tithe barns - magic. We indeed hired one just recently for a family occasion. It was in the countryside on the outskirts of Bedford. Wonderful atmosphere they have and this one had retained all the original farming implements which added to our enjoyment of the afternoon we spent there.
A much enjoyed poem that I shall keep to memory.
Tina:-)
jennifer | October 15, 2008 - 08:33
Thank you, Tina.
This is straight, autobiographical - how I spent Sunday with two good friends.
We were sitting in a beautiful riverside garden, and an older couple were sitting at the most scenic table, reading papers and ignoring both the sunshine, the boaty river magic and each other. It was very poignant; it struck me as being discordant!
And yes, Tithe barns are magical places. This is our local one at Bradford on Avon. You can breathe in the living history in the air!
Jen x