Triumphant Folly In The Park

Gold cherry
Poem of the week

By skinner_jennifer

Thu, 01 May 2025
  • 685 reads
26 comments
 

My Thoughts Dear diary...

Embodiment of esteemed antiquity

delivered through energetic spring;

dappled light emerges in resolution

where trembling leaves are displayed;

 

Imagine! Entranced, anticipating

poem befitting of this moment,

constant surroundings stand test

of time...blissfully I'm aware.

 

There's no topple transpiring,

supporting ivy slowly creeping;

solid stone blithely almost drowns,

summer greenwood grows all around.

 

Grassy herbs flourish in calm terrain,

rhythm remote locked in times past;

and I would admire this toiled beauty

standing in splendour triumphantly.

 

 

Photo is my own of Folly at Stanton park, Swindon.

 

Certificate U
Poem
Dear Diary
Nature
Opinion
Journal

Comments

Submitted by Di_Hard on

Sumptuous poem, Jenny. So many gorgeous lines. I particularly love your genius line break :
"of time....blissfully I'm aware" as that is how I have felt, in the woods watching the shadows ripple. The line before is wonderful, too, "constant surroundings" made me think of the stone, there for centuries. "Toiled beauty" is a fabulous way to describe man made structure, the weight and effort. Altogether brilliant

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

I'm over the moon with your kind comment Di. You've totally got the way I was feeling about the folly and its surroundings. 

The stones came from St Leonard's church in Stanton Fitzwarren, which is local to Stanton Park. It always impresses me how much effort and labour they put into building.

I truely do appreciate that you write with such understanding.

Thank you so much Di.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by marandina on

"..and I would admire this toiled beauty

standing in splendour triumphantly."

That's a great finish and a lovely homage to a place that clearly means a lot to you, Jenny.

Another gorgeous poem from you, of course.

[Should that be 'outpour" or is it 'out pour'?]

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Paul, firstly can I say thank you so much for your help. I decided to change the wording to are displayed, as I wasn't sure about outpour or, out pour. I hope it works better.

You of course are right, Stanton park is a place that means a lot to me. I read that it's mentioned in the Doomsday book in 1086, such an honour for this humble park.

I'm so happy you enjoyed reading, and I'm grateful to you for letting me know.

Many thanks.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

Very beautiful - I absolutely love follies - they're all worthy of a celebration in poetry from. Thank you for this Jenny!

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi insert,

I agree follies are definitely worthy of celebration in poetry. It's kind of you to let me know you liked this one. I've been holding on to the photo for a while now, and it was wonderful when it stirred inspiration in me.

Always grateful for your feedback.

Many thanks.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Follies show us what some of the ruined castles etc looked like before their deterioration. Follies, castles, old  bridges, cathedrals — all seem to show so much careful long labour. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Rhiannon,

the stones from this Folly came from the local St Leonard's Church in Stanton Fitzwarren, it's a beautiful old church that has held its own down through history, also going through many changes.

I think the builders of yesterday really knew how to build beauty that shines even today, and will outlive a lot of new buildings. I know some might not agree, but that's just my opinion.

Always grateful for your knowledge and reading. 

Thank you for reading and letting me know.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by celticman on

Ivy gives me the icks. But you've locked words in stone. 

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Jack,

I know a lot of people don't like ivy, because it can strangle plants and creeps across everything. We have a lot in our garden, my partner hates it taking over.

But I think in woods and forests it's just another part of nature that thrives.

I absolutely love the idea of locking words in stone...that's so encouraging Jack. Thank you for reading.

Always great to hear from you.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

I'm so happy to receive the cherries for this poem. Thank you so much Editors.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

This beautiful poem by Jenny is Pick of the Day! Please do share if you can

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

This beautiful poem by Jenny is Pick of the Day! Please do share if you can

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hello Di,

I've not long got back from having my shingles and Phneumonia jabs, I'm feeling very sore and aching, so those gold cherries were such a wonderful sight to behold. Getting Pick Of The Day has put a big smile on my face. smiley

Have a wonderful weekend Di, and a BIG THANK YOU.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

hope you feel better soon xxx

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Many thanks Di, I have to go back in eight weeks and have part two of my shingles jab. My arms are still very sore, but at least it's done now.

Thank you so much for your kind words.

Jenny. xxx

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

Congratulations! This is Poem of the Week!

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

WOW! What an amazing surprise Di. Thank you so much for poem of the week, it's made my day very special. 

Jenny.  smiley

 

Submitted by Jane Hyphen on

This is wonderful, Jenny. Well deserved pick of the day and poem of the week! The idea of a crumbling folly drowning in foliage yet also supported by it and you've encapsulated the romance and free flowing nature of these period garden features.

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Ah! You are kind Jane. My partner looks after the garden now, he seems to enjoy keeping it tidy, and loves being out in the open air.

Stanton Park most definitely holds a special place in my heart, but only on cool days. I don't like these blazing hot days any more.

I'm grateful to you for reading and many thanks for your thoughtful words, they're appreciated.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by mccallea on

Absolutely lovely! The poem transports me there. Well done, Jenny! 

Cheers, 

Liz

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

I really appreciate you taking the time to read and leave a kind comment Liz. I'm glad I could transport you there, it's truely a peaceful and beautiful place to be.

Many thanks.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by D G Moody on

"and I would admire this toiled beauty" 

A lovely poem Jennifer, the way you take the reader into this scene with such language; a poem needing repeat readings aloud. And congrats on the well deserved awards.

Dougie Moody

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Thank you so much for your thoughtful words Dougie. I'm so glad the language worked for you., and that you'd want to read more than once is such an assurance.

Many thanks again.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Turlough on

Isn't energetic just the perfect word for describing the spring?

A great poem Jenny. Congratulations on all the accolades.

Turlough

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

It's always a pleasure to read your comments Turlough. To get poem of the week gave me an incredible warm feeling inside, It really lifted my spirit.

I was thinking of the maiden of spring and how she has so much energy, recalling my own younger days. So glad you liked energetic. 

Thank you for your thoughts and sharing.

Jenny.