Natural Décor

Cherry

By Rhiannonw

Tue, 16 May 2023
  • 958 reads
11 comments
 

White van spatter-patterned –
how long static in this unpolluted spot
for lichens to attach and grow
encrusting?
Will it soon become like those discarded country ploughs
abandoned and forgot,
in the greenery and brown earth rusting.

Certificate U
Poem
Nature
Nature

Comments

Submitted by Jane Hyphen on

It doesn't take long for nature to start taking over. The van reminds me of all those ship wrecks and other debris beneath our oceans, covered in weed and tiny marine creatures. Those discarded country plough always look so beautiful.

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you, Jane. We were rather startled realising it was lichens growing in patches on the white. Knowing it is pretty slow growing also. Rather nice to see them doing so well, but I don't know how long it would take for the white of the van to fade! Yes, the degenerating ploughs can look lovely but it does seem wrong for things to be left to rust away in corners of fields! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

I wonder what the story behind the van is? Especially as you can just call people to pick up cars etc for scrap

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Yes. Maybe it has been forgotten, or death of the owner. It may be still in workable mode, and easily moved from where it has been for some time. But we were intrigued to see lichen growing so profusely on it. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by marandina on

"...how long static in this unpolluted spot
for lichens to attach and grow
encrusting?"

Beauty can be in the unlikeliest of places, even on a white van. I love the notion that nature sweeps over things when left abandoned like that. Just lovely, Rhiannon :)

 

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you, Paul. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Rhiannon,

You've shown here how nature will survive long after we're gone. As with that van, I've seen empty buildings on tv with all kinds of vegetation growing through windows and leaving their marks. It's amazing how there will always continue to be mysteries in the world of nature.

'In the greenery and brown earth rusting'. Really said it all for me.

Good to read this poem from you Rhiannon.

Jenny.

  

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you, Jenny. It is nice it provoked some interest! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

Liked this one very much, the idea of a van being a way to earn a living, as a plough was in the past. And how everything one day will be reabsorbed (though van paint and plastic will be a struggle for Nature) and the slow growing lichen while we search always for speed. And the tug of mystery - why is it left there when scrap metal has value. AND the wonderful artistry of your internal rhymes!

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you, Di. You always 'see' so much! I liked the pattern the lichen was making too, and of course the delicate pattern in the lichens themslelves! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you for the cherries. Rhiannon