Sorry if there is a delay in replying or if I'm away for short periods. Sometimes life gets in the way. As John Lennon says, life is what happens while you're busy making other plans.
On Visiting Wordsworth’s Grave
The open-top tour bus meandered its way down by the lake,
framed with the wondrous green backdrop,
I stared out at the view, trying to take it all in,
to soak myself in the splendour.
The commentary over the speakers droned on,
the tinny voice pointing out interesting landmarks,
on your left, and on your right,
and coming up ahead we have….
I tried to tune out the commentary,
repeating lines of practised verse in my head,
wanting to wander lonely,
and see those daffodils for myself.
I stepped off the bus at the village,
finally here, in Wordsworth’s Grasmere,
delighted to be walking the same paths
the great poet had tread.
The tourists gathered by the church-yard gates,
suggested I was in the right place.
As I neared I noticed the direction of the queue.
They were not spilling in and out of the cemetery gates,
but filing along the pavement in front of them.
I let my gaze follow the queue to see what
could be the focus of all this attention.
A moment later I had my answer.
The people were gathered in lines
not to pay their respects to the poet,
but for the famous shop selling gingerbread.
I slipped away silently through the gates,
and along the stone path by the church,
birds singing softly from the trees as I passed,
on my way to pay my respects at the grave of
William Wordsworth.
I paused a long moment by the graveside,
searching my mind for just the right words,
unable to tear my gaze from the poet’s name
carved upon the faded tombstone.
I closed the church-yard gates behind me,
and was back on the winding picture-box street,
amidst the tourist throng,
with their baked biscuits in paper bags.
Back on the tour bus, I felt inspired and recharged,
motivated beyond words, on the verge of tears,
while my fellow tourists rummaged in paper bags
and munched on their gingerbread.
-
Author:
Tom Dylan (
Offline) - Published: September 12th, 2024 05:37
- Comment from author about the poem: Inspired by a recent trip to the Lake District. Grasmere is home to a famous gingerbread shop, right next to the churchyard where the famous poet is buried. Most of the tourists were flocking to the shop.
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 21
- Users favorite of this poem: Cassie58
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Comments7
What a wonderful visit you had Tom. I have been in Dove Cottage where Wordsworth lived. A few years back now, but it was such a fascinating experience. I love your poem. I didn’t find the ginger bread though:) Happy Thursday.
Thanks a lot for your comments, Cassie. We didn't get to go round Dove Cottage as we had the dog with us. I made do with visiting the Wordsworth grave. And honestly, true story about the gingerbread shop by the churchyard. I thought everyone was there for the churchyard, but they were all queuing to get in the 'famous' gingerbread shop. It must have been some lovely gingerbread. 🙂 And Happy Thursday too! Glad it's Friday tomorrow. 🙂
If you get the chance again, do go in the cottage. The ambience was amazing. Such a small place for such wondrous poetry to be written.
It's definitely on my to-do list. Next time I think I'll let my wife walk the dog around the village and get a coffee while I visit the cottage. It does look a wonderful place to visit.
Good write Tom.
Thanks, Orchi. Really appreciated.
The tourist experience: I loved my trips when they showed me some of the marvels provided in the world, detested it when I was forced to rub shoulders with SOME of my fellow tourists…
Your narrative style as usual makes its point without pushing it to exhaustion, Tom. Thanks for that.
Thanks a lot, Dave. Yeah, I got to Grasmere and excited by the Wordsworth connection but everyone else was there for the gingerbread. I thought, I've got to get this written down. 🙂
Sounds like you have a great time Tom.
Andy
"I wondered lonely as a cloud"
Thanks, Andy. I had a great time and came away inspired to write this poem. 🙂 Cheers, Tom.
You have so tastefully noted the issue of priorities where most people value immediate sensualgratification over lasting art or wisdom. Beautifully done my friend
Thanks a lot, Soren. Really appreciate your comments. Honestly, I saw all the people and naively thought they were all there for the Wordsworth graves. I couldn't have been more wrong.
Ah, the consummate romantic. Very nice tribute.
Thanks for your comments, Dan. Really appreciated. Cheers, Tom.
I've been there too .. went with my folks when I was a nipper .. only have vague memories of the gingerbread shop but have much clear recollections of the great Wordsworth's grave .. Perfectly captured Tom a real treat sir .. Neville
Thanks a lot for your comments, Neville. Yeah, I was eager to soak up the atmosphere of the poet's grave, but everyone else seemed to be there for the gingerbread. I had to write about it. 🙂 Cheers, Tom.
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