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The Old Field Gate

I rejoice to see that old wood five-bar gate

that still stands guard beneath the ancient beech

to a field sloping gently down the hill.

 

The gate from an old farm track - now lost to time -

has seen so many seasons, so many harvests pass

and must have known an age of scythes and stooks

of horse drawn harrows, ploughs and wooden carts.

 

What could it tell of the village...

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gatesfieldsfarmlandcountrysidebeechesharvestshistorylovecelandinethymewoodruff

Return

Night.

 

I am transported by

a narrow orange moon

                and a million stars

                the still cool air

                the silence of the yard

 

I am welcomed by

a single ghostly owl swoop

                over the sheep fields

                the creak of my gate

                the scratch of my key on the lock

 

then

the silent click...

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nightdarknessowlsmoon.starstravelwinterhomegates

A Keeper's View

 

When you first passed through them
All butterflies and sparkling eyes,
Bouncing bundles of boundless potential 
In sharp creases and glistening shoes,
You will barely have noticed, the silent sentries
Marking the boundary between your worlds
Of heavenly refuge and interminable imprisonment.
 
Back and forth for years, growing as you go 
Like a tide, eac...

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