Down Memory Lane

Down Memory Lane

(Recalling a walk along the lakeside)


Ringing over the fells,
Sweet tone of Ghostly bells.
Echoing the gentle water’s ripple.
The cool calm charms of
‘Blue-bird’ Coniston Lake.
Ancient dulcet chimes of
Church bells Saluting a passing Day.

Those same Angelus bells
Nodded at Noon, before
Blessing the ending day
With a hymn of Twilight tune.
As I strolled – absorbing the
Pleasant peace of the valley,
I marvelled. Soaking in serenity,
And God’s gift of grandeur.
Mountain heights of snowy spleandour.

Across the lake of shimmering light
Lovely the low banked clouds at flight.
Blackbirds, Nightingales in chorus, competed
With bleating newborn lambs
– As life they feebly greeted.
Across the vale the hoot of owls came creeping.
Other birds trilled ‘Goodnight’ in nearby wood
As maiden Moon sent a flood
Of viviparous reflections.

Forms floating in lake so fair,
Clearly mirroring my prayers
Like gentle benedictions.
As I tarried, my heart knew earthly sadness.
I would pause my thoughts to pray.
Then my soul felt Heaven’s gladness.
Sorrows of the day washed away,
With new-found spring of gate
I wended homeward to my mate.