Back Then.
How green was my valley
back then.
Tall willow trees drooped
and tumbled
to small meadow's clean
stream amid
screams from lasses who
annoyed with
teasing lads' laughter ran
thru' mole-brown
ploughed fields happy to
feel underfoot
sowed soil soft as velvet
which when
reaped would give grain
to the hungry
who sang in the harvest
back then.
Wild were the flowers we
picked for our
tables when sheaved hay
littered fields.
We carried scythed wheat
with children's
sweet voices lending tune
to find value
of best stood neat stooks.
Came the day
when things mechanized
brought changes
that ended simplicity as
good men left
idle found that factories
paid fair wages
but took air's call away
from lads born
for countryfied activities.
Now like gems
on my memory necklace
I still string old
moments together when
villagers praised
each worker's best effort
with dance and
fiddle as home-made ale
washed down
harvest pies, milk jellies,
thick cream
and from grass-fed cattle
sizzling steaks
with fresh salads tasting
of keenest
tending when green back
then was my valley.
-
Author:
Fay Slimm. (
Offline) - Published: April 26th, 2019 10:24
- Comment from author about the poem: THE PICTURE INSPIRED THE WORDS......... HOPE YOU ENJOY
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 41
Offline)
Comments7
ee-bah-gum lass thou dont half drag up some reet good memrees.
But let us not forget the improvements modern day s technology has brought to mankind. Like global warming, the H bomb, AIDS, Thalidomide, Chernobyl, Agent Orange, Bhopal, Derweze door to hell, Great Pacific Garbage Patch to name but a few.
"Could it be that life was oh so simple then?"
Thank you for this lovely walk amongst memories.
Thanks D.A. - your wry list of "improvements" to modern day gave me a chuckle of agreement but glad you enjoyed the look back at when things were much simpler for many.
Good write Fay.
Thanks Orchi.
Your words gave life to the picture.
Old man tales, mesmerizing children, (as you said) in simple times
Yes long ago the tales were so much simpler too - thanks for the visit and comment Suresh and glad you enjoyed the read.
what can I say other than thank you my friend for taking me on a trip back to the glorious past and days of steam... when everything seemed either golden or green... when things were simple , straightforward and slower too.... everything you mention is locked in a memory of mine somewhere and so fine.... Neville
Ah - - good that the words took you back to past days Nev - though I trust not as far back as the picture above !! Yes times were a lot simpler and slower when ground was tilled by hand and villagers all mucked in as they said with the chores needed........ good ol'days indeed - well at least in some ways they were........... thanks a trillion for your welcome comment ........... x
my pleasure.. x
Alovely peice Fay take us back to better times. Would I swap my childhood for todays efforts? A resounding NO my friend and your poem illustrates just why ,Thank you.
Ah - those days of simplicity seem to outlived their welcome in these modern times I agree - so am pleased the words helped you down memory lane my friend.
Love the PHOTO FAY : How green was your valley ? Very nostalgic ! I was born in 1988 so the land & life (in the UK) you describe had long disappeared and everything was mechanised & sterilised. I spent some of my childhood Summers in Seville (Spain) and life was simpler (like you describe) in the vineyrds & olive groves ! But when I go back : 25 years later : there is more mechanisation ! Only when we visit Mexico do we meet the Subsistence Farmers : and all is done by Hand & Horse and the Chicos are all barefoot ! Thanks for sharing a beautiful Poem nostalging your former years. Brian is filling the CAMPER VAN with the aroma of LAMB SAUSAGES : Then we are off to explore QUEENSTOWN ~ AMEN
Blessings & Love : ANGELA 🧡🧡🧡🧡
So far they have had WIFI at every SITE weve stayed on !
Yes dear Angela times they are changing world over and not always for betterment - am pleased you enjoyed the look back and the picture and keep having fun in your campervan for two as you tour South Island. Lots of hugs for you both ...............xxxxx
Wonderful walk back in time to places of simple harmony, peace and beauty. Thank you Fay.
Yes dear Goldy there was peace of a kind back then that seems to have left this modern age - - so pleased you enjoyed the walk down memory lane.
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