By The Crizzled Pond

This winter, you might find me standing in the edding by the crizzled pond, rubbing my clumpsing hands and listening to the starnels clack.

Confused?  Probably.  Unless you live close to Northampton, that is.

This week, I’ve been revisiting the poetry of John Clare, delving into a beautifully bound edition of his poems sent to me by a friend.

I’d forgotten just how many delicious words Clare uses - most deriving from his local Northamptonshire dialect.  They’re so delightful, I intend to start using them as often as possible.  Even though I live nowhere near Northamptonshire.

To translate, then:

This winter, you might find me standing in the grass at the head of the field by the pond just freezing over, rubbing my hands, numb with cold, and listening to the starlings chatter.

Sounds much nicer in the vernacular, doesn’t it?

The anthology is selected by Paul Farley and published by Faber and Faber.

One Autumn Morning in the Woods

A Tiny Walk

a tiny walk
the length of a small field and back
just five minutes
Joss and I

we found a long, slim feather
and a short one
the second daggered into the ground

five drops of water in a blade of grass
like peas in a pod
reflecting the latticed branches above

scraps of fluffy white down
keeping company with moss
while the blackbird lurked beneath the elder

wet sycamore leaves appliquéd to my wellies
shifting patterns of olive and chartreuse
black blight holes

a ball sitting on the leaf-strewn ground
pink and yellow
and seriously squashed
with ludicrously long eyelashes drawn upon it
provocative and smiling

in those five minutes
the temperature fell
so did snow
dainty flecks on Joss’ fur

Your Daily Quest

If chores seem like chores and you struggle to love your to-do list, then you’re going to love what clever Catherine Redfern has come up with.  YOUR DAILY QUEST = a whole wadge of pretty sheets that turn ticking off to-dos into a game….and cheer you on at the same time.  How devious is that?!

Despite her protestations to the contrary, Cath – I happen to know - is a super productive person (actually, I’m in awe).  Which means she knows a bit about motivating herself to get things done.  If you need a kick in that direction (hand in the air here) then a kick that comes in rainbow colours and dressed in flowers has to be the nicest possible sort.

Once downloaded, Cath’s artwork can be printed off over and over again for an endless source of cheerful lists.  Find out more here.

Happily Engaged

High on the moor a rogue balloon came bouncing towards Joss and I.  Having travelled who knows how far.  It nested briefly in the heather then skittered a few yards further.  Over and over again.  Trailing a purple ribbon and memories I could only guess at.

We followed it.  Snapping pictures as it twisted and skipped.  Accepting its invitation.  It was so darn happy.  The perfect carrier for the message it bore.  The perfect find on a glorious autumn day. 

We gambolled through the heather.  The balloon and Joss and I.  Until I lifted the purple streamer high and let the balloon fly.  The sunshine spinning from its many hearts.