Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Thoughts Of Home


The Manor Farm

The rock-like mud unfroze a little, and rills
Ran and sparkled down each side of the road
Under the catkins wagging in the hedge.
But earth would have her sleep out, spite of the sun;
Nor did I value that thin glilding beam
More than a pretty February thing
Till I came down to the old Manor Farm,
And church and yew-tree opposite, in age
Its equals and in size. The church and yew
And farmhouse slept in a Sunday silentness.
The air raised not a straw. The steep farm roof,
With tiles duskily glowing, entertained
The mid-day sun; and up and down the roof
White pigeons nestled. There was no sound but one.
Three cart-horses were looking over a gate
Drowsily through their forelocks, swishing their tails
Against a fly, a solitary fly.
The Winter's cheek flushed as if he had drained
Spring, Summer, and Autumn at a draught
And smiled quietly. But 'twas not Winter—
Rather a season of bliss unchangeable
Awakened from farm and church where it had lain
Safe under tile and thatch for ages since
This England, Old already, was called Merry.

~ Edward Thomas 1878-1917

14 comments:

Rob said...

That was nice, I also like the pictures on your post and header.

Sharon said...

That sounds like a pleasant scene on an unforgettable day! Very nice!

cheshire wife said...

We had a taste of Spring for a few hours today. I know that it did not last long but it gives us hope. The real thing will be here soon.

Sharon Rose said...

This is lovely.

MadSnapper said...

I would love to see a merry old english garden, only in books and on TV and in the movies.

Anonymous said...

Lovely post...the house/garden and poem...go quite well together...I once had dreams of an English country garden! Now my dreams are a little more tropical...and limited to an 8x25 patio...LOL I do want to grow something pretty out there...not only to look at but to eat!

DeniseinVA said...

You find the perfect poems Jo, and the perfects prints to go with them.

Country Gal said...

AAAAA spring !
Lovely post and picture.
Have a great day !

Barbara Anne said...

What a charming home and perfectly wonderful poem. I can hear the swish of those horses' tails!

Will you travel home to England this year, Jo?

Hugs!

roxie said...

Charming, and much welcome.

L. D. said...

My uncle married a war bride from England. She was a special aunt to me and I felt so badly as to how she longed to go back to visit. Instead she lived her life in middle America on a farm. I enjoy visiting your blog.

John Going Gently said...

lovely

Michael said...

Oh, siiiiigh.

Bernideen said...

my visit and hope Oliver is on the mend!