Journey of Words

In The Saddle

A moment’s opportunity takenTo get out of the cityAlong the abandoned railwayNorth towards the coastStunted, twisted oaksLining the trailThrow dark shapesThat would confuse a leopardDaggers of sunlightStab blindly through the canopyNo hills to speak offJust a series of steady climbsSoftened by the swirling seaOf feathered barleyA startled pheasantShoots up from the vergeA disturbed hobbyTwists then… 

A moment’s opportunity taken
To get out of the city
Along the abandoned railway
North towards the coast

Stunted, twisted oaks
Lining the trail
Throw dark shapes
That would confuse a leopard
Daggers of sunlight
Stab blindly through the canopy

No hills to speak off
Just a series of steady climbs
Softened by the swirling sea
Of feathered barley

A startled pheasant
Shoots up from the verge
A disturbed hobby
Twists then folds
Into a shadow
Of hawthorn hedge

The onshore breeze
Has the edge
Of a razor

~

n.b. There is something incredibly satisfying about travelling by bicycle.

CLP 19/05/2024

The author

Chris Perry

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