Uphill, January 29th 2026

Gold cherry
Poem of the week

By marandina

Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • 832 reads
21 comments
 

Uphill, January 29th 2026

St Nicholas church has

stood here for centuries

staring out over the sea,

standing high on a hill,

liminal limestone walls.

 

Brackish waters in winter

look bleak in freezing rain,

gulls patrol slate-grey skies

in search of elusive prey,

their cries pierce my soul.

 

Passing thoughts turn to life,

ubiquitous yet ephemeral

when measured over time,

past struggles like driftwood,

now obsolete and forgotten.

 

Last year frayed, fell to Earth,

falling like the dying embers

of a Catherine Wheel on the

banks of the River Thames,

Auld Lang Syne fading away.

 

But in this place I move on,

anchored by the inevitability

of gravid circulatory tides

wiping away our footprints

 in the stone-washed sand.

 

If I wait for long enough to

see the sun set in the west,

subsiding over Penarth bay,

a January day will fall into

the waiting arms of the night.

 

And I can go home once more.

 

*Pic is my own

 

Certificate PG
Poem
Miscellaneous Poems
Spiritual

Comments

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

A pensive description of the view which I thought was awe inspiring.

Very much enjoyed reading Paul.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks, Jenny.

The view is of Wales across the Bristol Channel.

I never get tired of roaming around Uphill.

It's so beautiful there.The world stops for a while. . 

 

Submitted by insertponceyfre... on

I think this is one of your best marandina - and what an amazing photo. Well done!

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thank you, insert. That's kind of you. 

It's a part of the world I adore. 

[Thanks for the cherries]

 

Submitted by airyfairy on

Beautiful combination of observation and reflection, Paul. As insert says, one of your best.

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

The movements of tide and sun, and the circles of our life. A lovely spot for quiet. Beautirul photo!

When I was growing up in Barry, the paddle-steamers went back and forth trips across from Penarth. And of course, it was said, that 'If you could see the other side, it was going to rain, if not, it was raining'. But you could usually see Flat Holm and Steep Holm anyway! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading it, Rhiannon.

I did the Waverley paddle steamer last year.Penarth > Clevedon > Weston. It took in both holms. It was a beautiful sunset that evening with a captivating full moon.

I think we are doing it again this year. 

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

Congratulations! This is Poem of the Week!

 

Submitted by marandina on

Oh thank you, Di. Wonderful news and very much appreciated. 

 

Submitted by celticman on

grounded in a world we can see and feel. Well done. 

 

Submitted by marandina on

Cheers, CM. You get more philosophical as you get older. I think. 

 

Submitted by VeraClark on

This is absolutely beautiful. It felt like a gift to read.

 

Thank you.

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading and for the lovely comment, Vera. 

 

Submitted by TJW on

You observe and write like a naturalist.  This reminds me of Peter Matthiessen's work.

V/R

 

Submitted by marandina on

Phew. I had to read that again as I thought you said write like a naturist, TJ.

Thanks for reading. 

 

Submitted by TJW on

I looked up naturist: nonsexual social nudity.  Nah, bruh, not what I meant.  No wonder you did a double take.

 

Submitted by marandina on

It made me laugh. I do keep my clothes on when I write. Honest! 

But thanks for stopping by and leaving  such a thoughtful comment. Being mentioned in the same sentence as Peter Mathiessen is quite a compliment. Genuinely appreciated TJ

 

 

Submitted by TJW on

I keep mine on too.  Honest.  Can't figure how to include a smiley face so do me a solid and imagine it.  Hope your day is blessed.

V/R

 

Submitted by marandina on

You too. Look after those babies. 

 

Submitted by insertponceyfre... on

This beautiful poem deserves a moment in the social media spotlight so it's our Pick of the Day!

Please share if you like it too

 

Submitted by marandina on

Oh that's wonderful.Thank you, so much!