Aber

I caught a train away from natural light
To leave the madness of me
A scattering of people joined me in my flight
Away to spiritual certainty

We snaked our way along the canal
Past manufacturers and present
The journey caught me in a spell
Even the ugly seemed pleasant

Passing the Wolves, near locks for the door
Then out into green sun-bathed country
Past landing strips - still miles to the shore
All that weighed drifted from me

Heading in and out of a bosom of spires
All that's beyond lies in valleys
Fences and fields, farmers and squires
Sheep too numerous to tally

The river bed widens, the water seems thin
Dusty plain, mud, birds, odd boats
The hill top ends and the seaside begins
We gathered holdalls and coats

We reached our goal at the end of the line
Walked to the end of the land
I bathed my soul in new scene and sunshine
And bathed my shoes in grey sand

Up flint strewn paths to the top of the hill
Beyond the rail car closed noted door
I looked around inside I felt so still
The sound of waves ramping shore

I thought of forebears who walked on this ground
Who knew of no other place
We shared the landscape, the light and the sound
I wondered where they found space

So I returned to the middle of things
My mind felt balanced and saved
I think of grey, green and silver expanse
The sea in which my soul bathes