Brigflatts Revisited

BRIGFLATTS REVISITED

(A tanka sequence, for Mabel Ferrett)

over Widdale Fell
where the visibility
edges to zero
sheep are heard but are not seen
grazing just beyond the snow

on Sedbergh Main Street
shoppers walk over duck-boards
just to cross the road —
sat drinking in the café
we watch them lay new cobbles

turning the pages
before I sign myself in
the Visitors' Book
I note your name two weeks back
and feel your presence here still

in the Meeting House
pictures enliven bare boards
yet the air is cool —
outside it feels much warmer
though the sun is lost in mist

the burial field
a carpet of daffodils —
just like all the rest;
a round memorial stone
"Basil Bunting" and his dates

© Gerald England

Composed: Ashton under Lyne, 18th April 1995

Publication

1995 BRIGGFLATTS VISITED 2nd edn (Hyde, New Hope International)

Brigflatts Visited (Just)

       BRIGFLATTS VISITED(JUST)

       Weekending at Wrightington
       we chose Saturday
       for our pilgrimage.

       Just a few motorway miles
       saw the weather change
       to an unending pour

       Swerving to avoid a bollard
       we skidded near Forton Services,
       regained control, stopped for coffee.

       In the narrow road at Brigflatts
       we turned the car, parked briefly,
       but fearing a drenching forsook exploration

       Paying ten pence to park
       we got soaked in Sedbergh
       running to the Copper Kettle

       Lunch over we set out for Dent
       and met the river at Catholes
       flowing towards us down the road

       Several times the engine faltered
       but we low-geared through,
       the exhaust bouncing on boulders

       We escaped over the tops to Barbon
       following the brown, bubbling Barkin Beck
       as it tumbled down carrying earth and stone

       Arriving back at our quaggy field
       abandoning our vehicle by the road
       we crossed unwellied to the caravan

       Soon we settled for coffee
       and a book - mine
       The Orkneyinaga Saga with tales of Eric Bloodaxe

       On Sunday the sun shone unceasing

       © GERALD ENGLAND

Composed: Wrightington, 19th September 1985

Publications


1986 BRIGGFLATTS VISITED (Ashton under Lyne, New Hope International)
1995 BRIGGFLATTS VISITED 2nd edn (Hyde, New Hope International)