Chesil.
This ancient pebbled beach
has seen the boots of ages run to make deep inroads
on its ship-shape paving.
Long in length and fossil-strewn
its use in naval training has equipped in many sailors
room for feats of bravery.
Careers at sea are paved
with danger and seen as heeded here has been the use of
drills in discipline.
Young men are taught the need
of Chesil-hardship and mostly just prior to boarding
boats for ocean-missions.
A look for prehistoric
finds too in weedy holes and under rocks which upturned
may prove successful.
Leaving the strip of famous land
that Hardy called "a narrow thread" all will have seen
its shingled credentials.
Piles of pea-sized gravel
cover old treasures and seeking scored rocks was the
obssession until recently.
Chesil's guardians wisely moved
might and main along this ancient fossiled way to keep
and prize its rich diversity.
I remember the headlands
of Portland Bill and Fleet Lagoon tossed by winter winds
yet battling wrecking waves.
Grateful too the care shown for all
who trained at Chesil and now sail braver over open
ocean's many vagaries.
-
Author:
Fay Slimm. (
Offline) - Published: October 11th, 2018 07:08
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 27
Offline)
Comments7
Super write Fay.
Thanks Goldi. - - that beach and its surrounds are all very interesting and I felt needed a mention poetically.
Good write Fay.
Thank you Orchi - a most intriguing place is the are in question.
You see the seas water there, well me and my father used to trawl for scallops. We worked that area frequently which within those years alongside 20 other fishing boats it was banned from from British fishing boats to fish there. However the French trawlers fished there legally.. Great place, great scenery and just like your poem, very relaxing.
You know the bay and beach well Kevin and reading the poem must have brought back many memories. Thanks a load for sharing your experience of this most scenic place.
Captures the area so very well - fine work dear Fay.
Yes the area is busy with all sorts of activities Michael and there are still fossils to turn up if folk have the time and patience. An inspiring place is Chesil and its surrounds.
I know this place, seen in its majesty from high on Portland. They say the whole bank/beach was washed up in some tremendous storm. It doesn't seem in any hurry to be swallowed up.
From atop the bank swans can be seen gracefully making way in the Fleets to the landside where once the breakers crashed. Such contrast. And yes out to sea around the Bill the currents race to wreck the unsuspecting.
Methinks you know this place well.
Good you know the place and surrounds D.A. as it has such an intriguing history along with such fossil- gems found on Chesil beach by the bagful at one time - - I have never lived there but know much of its attraction from a close friend - - so pleased you enjoyed the read and hope it brought back lots of memories too.
Ahhhh FAY CHESIL BEACH ~ 18 MILES long in DORSET England and it is reckoned about 200 billion pebbles but one should examine them in situ and NOT remove them ! Lovely POEM exulting the beauty uniqueness and history of this pebble abundant beach. As one searches for ~ fossils & gemstones ~ no two pebbles are identical ! Thanks for sharing ~ Please check my FLAMINGOS ~ Yours as always BRIAN
Fay, you write about the sea in such refreshing language. I love the images your poem has produced in this reader's mind.
An excellent write. 🙂
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